Nizamabad local MLC: Congress eyes Azharuddin
HYDERABAD: With the resignation of Kalvakuntla Kavitha, the Nizamabad local authorities Member of Legislative Council (MLC) seat has fallen vacant, triggering intense discussion within Congress circles over the party’s candidate.
Congress leaders are weighing whether to field Minister Azharuddin for the bypoll, amid uncertainty over his pending nomination as an MLC under the Governor’s quota.
Governor quota decision pending
Azharuddin’s nomination to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota remains pending, with related petitions before the Supreme Court of India. The Governor has not taken a decision so far.
Despite the delay, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inducted Azharuddin into the Cabinet last year, banking on eventual approval. Azharuddin took oath on October 31, 2025, and under constitutional norms must become a member of either the Assembly or the Council within six months, by April 30, failing which he will have to step down as minister.
Congress weighs bypoll strategy
Against this backdrop, Congress leaders are considering fielding Azharuddin in the Nizamabad local authorities MLC by-election as a precautionary move. Party sources said Congress is confident of securing a majority in the upcoming municipal elections, which would make winning the local authorities MLC seat easier.
The seat fell vacant after Kavitha, who was suspended from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, resigned from the Council.
Bypoll only after municipal elections
The by-election notification will be issued only after the municipal elections are completed. Electors for the local authorities MLC seat include corporators, councillors, Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency members and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency members within the constituency.
As the term of municipalities and local bodies in Telangana has ended, elections are likely in the second or third week of February. Once they are over, the state government will prepare a fresh electoral roll with newly elected representatives and send a proposal to the Election Commission of India to conduct the bypoll. Government sources said the election can be held even if only municipal representatives are available as voters.
