Overview
- Officials and invitations indicate a swearing-in at Raj Bhavan at 12:15 pm on October 31, with Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to administer the oath.
- Congress sources and multiple reports frame the elevation as outreach to Muslim voters ahead of the November 11 Jubilee Hills by-election, where over one lakh Muslim votes are in play.
- If inducted, he would be the first Muslim minister in the Revanth Reddy cabinet and lift the ministry’s strength to 16, leaving two berths vacant under the 18-member cap.
- Azharuddin was nominated to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota in August, but Raj Bhavan has not cleared the file; he must become an MLA or MLC within six months of taking office, with earlier governor-quota nominations entangled in a Supreme Court matter.
- The BJP has complained to the Chief Electoral Officer alleging a Model Code of Conduct violation, the BRS has raised similar objections, and Congress leaders argue cabinet expansion is permissible and reflects inclusive representation, even as some state Congress seniors say they were not consulted.