Hyderabad, August 17, 2023
Introduction
Former Indian cricket captain and current Telangana Congress working president, Mohammad Azharuddin, has revealed his intention to contest in the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The announcement came as the state prepares for a crucial electoral battle later this year.
Azharuddin, a native of Hyderabad, made the announcement during a recent interview with ANI. He expressed optimism about the prospects of the Congress party, stating, “Congress is doing well. The trends are in favour of our party. We will have to work really hard in this election.” When probed about the Congress party’s election targets, Azharuddin maintained that he hasn’t set a specific goal, emphasizing that the actual outcome would only be known after the election. He confirmed that he plans to contest from Hyderabad.
A journey of Hurdles
Having been appointed as the Telangana Congress working president in 2018, Azharuddin’s political journey has seen its ups and downs. He clinched victory in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. However, his luck waned in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, where he faced defeat. In 2019, he wasn’t fielded by the Congress party.
Azharuddin’s presence in the state election committee, consisting of 29 members and headed by Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy, signifies his influential role within the party. The Congress party, which is gearing up to challenge the incumbent ruling party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), is investing substantial efforts to secure victory in the polls.
The BRS, led by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, has maintained its dominance in Telangana since its formation in 2014. In response to the Congress’s efforts, Rao expressed confidence in his party’s performance, even projecting a sweep of all 17 seats in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for the following year. Furthermore, Rao asserted that the BRS could play a significant role in forming the government at the Centre if the electorate demonstrates a strong inclination towards his party.
Conclusion
As the political landscape in Telangana heats up with campaign promises and strategies being unveiled, all eyes are on the upcoming assembly elections. The contest between the Congress and the BRS promises to be closely watched, with both parties aiming to secure victory and shape the state’s political future.
