Hyderabad: With the clock ticking for minority welfare minister Mohammed Azharuddin to secure a seat in the legislature, the fate of two nominations to the Telangana legislative council under the governor’s quota has once again come under sharp political and legal focus.Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on March 19 a batch of petitions challenging the appointments of Professor M Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan as MLCs, a case that could significantly influence the ruling Congress’s plans to retain Azharuddin in the cabinet. The petitions were filed by BRS leaders Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana, who challenged the nominations made under the governor’s quota. Both Congress and BRS leaders expect the apex court to deliver its final verdict after the hearing, which could determine whether the state govt can move ahead with fresh recommendations to the governor for filling the posts.Has time till April 30 A clear ruling from the apex court is also expected to allow the governor to decide whether to approve the names of Kodandaram and Azharuddin for nomination to the council under the governor’s quota. Azharuddin, who was sworn in as a minister on Oct 31, 2025, must get elected to either the legislative council or the assembly before April 30. If he fails to enter either House by that date, he will have to step down as minister under constitutional provisions that require a minister who is not a legislator to secure membership within six months. The legal dispute dates back to Aug 13, 2025, when the Supreme Court set aside the appointments of Kodandaram and Amer Ali, while clarifying that the two MLC posts would be filled subject to the final outcome of the case. Subsequently, Amer Ali also filed a petition seeking to uphold his appointment, and all related petitions are now scheduled to be heard together on March 19. In an order issued in the first week of Feb, the apex court stated that the state govt could recommend names and the governor could approve them in accordance with the rules. However, it also added that any such appointments would remain subject to the final orders of the court. Since then, the governor has not approved the names of Kodandaram and Azharuddin. Within Congress circles, there has been speculation that Azharuddin could be sworn in again on May 1 or 2 if the party fails to get him elected to either the council or assembly before the deadline. However, constitutional experts say such a move would not stand legal scrutiny.Legal complexitiesFormer advocate general K Ramakrishna Reddy said: “The Supreme Court’s ruling in the SR Chaudhuri versus state of Punjab, which held that reappointing a non-legislator as minister for another six months would amount to a fraud on the Constitution. The judgment clarified that Article 164(4) allows a maximum of six months for a non-legislator to get elected.” Despite the legal complexities, a senior Congress leader said the party leadership is confident that the top court verdict will clear the way for the governor to approve the nominations of Kodandaram and Azharuddin.
