Hyderabad: Minister Mohammed Azharuddin and Professor M Kodandaram took oath as members of the Legislative Council, ending weeks of delay in their nomination under the Governor quota MLC category.
Legislative Council Chairman Gutta Sukender Reddy administered the oath on Monday. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy attended the ceremony along with ministers, MLAs, and MLCs. Therefore, the swearing-in formally completed their entry into the Council.
Earlier, the state cabinet had approved both names for nomination. However, the file remained pending with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla for several weeks. As a result, the delay triggered political debate and uncertainty over the process.
For Azharuddin, the development carried immediate significance. He had joined the cabinet without holding membership in either House. Since the constitutional deadline was set to end on April 30, he faced the risk of losing his ministerial position. However, the oath ensured compliance with the requirement.
Governor quota MLC nominations clear after prolonged delay
The delay had drawn attention from political leaders across parties. Meanwhile, discussions continued over the reasons behind the hold-up despite cabinet clearance.
Subsequently, the Governor approved the nominations and issued formal orders. Consequently, authorities moved quickly to organise the swearing-in ceremony without further delay.
Kodandaram’s entry into the Council marks his first tenure in the House. He earlier played a key role during the Telangana movement as JAC chairman. In the Council, he is expected to raise issues related to public policy, including irrigation and governance.
The development also holds political importance for the ruling establishment. It not only resolved uncertainty around the nominations but also ensured continuity in the cabinet. Moreover, it reinforced the use of the nominated category to bring key figures into the legislature.
Overall, the oath ceremony concluded a prolonged process and formalised the induction of both leaders into the Legislative Council.
