A new face from Congress likely in Jubilee Hills by-poll a

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is embarking on a fresh chapter in his political career, marking a significant "second innings" in Telangana's administration. The Congress-led government under Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has nominated the cricketer-turned-politician as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) under the Governor's quota, a move announced on Saturday that caught many by surprise.

With his longstanding ties to the Gandhi family in New Delhi, Azharuddin is widely expected to secure a Cabinet berth under the Minority quota, filling a notable gap in the current Revanth Reddy ministry, which lacks representation from minority communities. This development paves the way for a new Congress candidate in the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election, shifting the party's strategy in the high-profile urban constituency.

Azharuddin, 62, brings a storied legacy to his new role. A graceful batsman who led India in the 1990s, he transitioned to politics in 2009, winning the Moradabad Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh as a Congress MP. His influence within the party has remained strong, bolstered by his proximity to the Congress high command. In Telangana, Azharuddin contested the 2023 Assembly elections from Jubilee Hills but lost narrowly to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidate Maganti Gopinath by about 16,000 votes. Over the past few weeks, he had been actively campaigning in the constituency, publicly expressing his intent to run in the by-election triggered by Gopinath's unexpected demise. "I am confident of victory this time," Azharuddin had stated during rallies, fueling speculation that he was the frontrunner.

However, the Cabinet's decision to nominate him for the MLC post alongside Telangana Jana Samithi founder Prof. M. Kodandaram has upended those plans. This comes days after the Supreme Court quashed earlier nominations under the Governor's quota, including Kodandaram and Siasat editor Amer Ali Khan, due to procedural issues. Political analysts view Azharuddin's elevation as a strategic balancing act by Revanth Reddy to accommodate minority representation while avoiding a potentially risky electoral battle in Jubilee Hills. Congress sources indicate that local leader Naveen Yadav, from the Backward Classes (BC) community, is now likely to be fielded for the by-poll, aligning with the government's push for 42% BC reservations in local body elections – another key decision from Saturday's Cabinet meeting.

The nomination has sparked mixed reactions on social media and in political circles. On X (formerly Twitter), users hailed it as a "masterstroke" for minority empowerment, with one post noting, "Azharuddin's MLC nod reflects Congress's commitment to inclusive politics." Others criticized it as sidelining Azharuddin from direct electoral contests. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) members expressed optimism, suggesting Azharuddin's Cabinet induction could strengthen the government's outreach to Muslim voters, who form a significant bloc in urban areas like Hyderabad.

This move underscores the fluid dynamics of Telangana politics post-2023, where Congress wrested power from BRS after a decade. Azharuddin's son, Mohammad Asaduddin, has also entered the fray, recently appointed as TPCC general secretary, hinting at a family legacy in the making. As the Governor's approval is awaited, Azharuddin's shift from campaign trails to legislative corridors could redefine his role, potentially as a Minority Affairs Minister. For Jubilee Hills, the by-election now promises a fresh face-off, with Congress aiming to consolidate its urban gains amid opposition barbs.