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Telangana BJP Alleges MCC Violation Over Azharuddin Cabinet Proposal

The Telangana BJP has formally complained about Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's proposal to include Mohammed Azharuddin in the cabinet. They argue this move violates election rules during the ongoing Jubilee Hills bypoll campaign. BJP leaders are calling it a clear case of voter appeasement targeting the constituency's significant Muslim population. The controversy comes just weeks before the crucial November 14 by-election that was necessitated by the sitting MLA's death.

Key Points: BJP Lodges Complaint Against Revanth Reddy's Azharuddin Cabinet Move

  • BJP MLA Payal Shanker files formal complaint with State Chief Electoral Officer
  • BJP calls the move political appeasement targeting Muslim voters
  • Azharuddin contested from Jubilee Hills in 2023 Assembly elections
  • Jubilee Hills bypoll scheduled for November 14 after BRS MLA's death
2 min read

Jubilee Hills bypolls: Telangana BJP alleges Model Code violation over Revanth Reddy's proposal to induct Azharuddin into Cabinet

Telangana BJP alleges Model Code violation as CM Revanth Reddy proposes ex-cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin's cabinet induction during Jubilee Hills bypolls.

"This is nothing but an act of appeasement and also a violation of the model code of conduct... BJP opposes this move - Ramchander Rao, Telangana BJP President"

Hyderabad, October 30

The Telangana BJP has lodged a complaint with the State Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's reported proposal to induct former Indian cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin into the cabinet amounts to a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct and is aimed at influencing voters in the Jubilee Hills bye-election.

In a letter, BJP MLA Payal Shanker stated that the proposal is intended to woo voters and urged the CEO to take immediate action to withdraw the announcement. Azharuddin had contested from Jubilee Hills constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections.

The BJP said that the move, if confirmed, would adversely affect the bye-election and requested the CEO to take cognisance of the alleged violation.

On Thursday, Telangana BJP President Ramchander Rao called the decision an act of "appeasement".

"While the Jubilee Hills by-election campaigns are going on, the Congress government in Telangana wants to make Mohammad Azharuddin a Minister in the state Cabinet. This is nothing but an act of appeasement and also a violation of the model code of conduct... BJP opposes this move," Rao told ANI.

Voting for the Jubilee Hills by-election is scheduled to take place on November 14, with counting of votes on November 14. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of the sitting MLA and BRS leader Maganti Gopinath.

Backward Class leader V Naveen Yadav is contesting on behalf of the Congress, while BRS has fielded Gopinath's widow, Sunitha. BJP has nominated Lankala Deepak Reddy as its candidate.

The Assembly constituency has a high concentration of Muslim voters, and the decision of the Congress government has been seen as a move to increase the prospects of the party among the Muslim voters. The Congress has no Muslim MLA in the current State Assembly, and there is no Muslim Cabinet Minister in the Cabinet.

With Azharuddin's induction, the number of Ministers in the Revanth Reddy cabinet will go up to 16. The total strength of the Council of Ministers in Telangana is 18, including the Chief Minister.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
As a cricket fan, I respect Azharuddin's achievements, but politics should be about merit and governance, not celebrity status. This timing seems very calculated.
A
Arjun K
The BJP is right to raise this issue. Model Code of Conduct exists for a reason - to ensure fair elections. Such announcements during election period should be prohibited.
P
Priya S
While I understand the concerns about timing, we should also consider that Azharuddin has been active in politics for years now. He contested from this constituency before and knows the area well. Maybe he deserves a chance? 🤔
M
Michael C
As an observer of Indian politics, this seems like standard political strategy. Every party does similar things during elections. The real question is whether Azharuddin can deliver good governance.
K
Kavya N
The timing is definitely questionable, but let's not forget that representation matters. If this helps ensure better representation in the cabinet, maybe it's not all bad. But the Election Commission should investigate properly.
V
Vikram M
Both parties are playing politics here. BJP calling it "appeasement" and Congress using celebrity power. When will we get leaders who focus on development rather than these games? 😒

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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