Mohammad Asaduddin Enters Politics, Appointed Telangana Congress General Secretary

Mohammad Asaduddin, son of former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, has officially entered politics by being appointed as one of the 69 general secretaries of the Telangana Congress.

His appointment follows the vacancy created in the Jubilee Hills Assembly seat after the death of MLA Maganti Gopinath due to a heart attack.

Asaduddin, who previously played in the Ranji Trophy, now steps into public life, potentially preparing to contest elections like his father.

The appointment has also led to speculation about whether he may be fielded as a Congress candidate in the upcoming bypoll.

Early Political Involvement

Asaduddin has been informally associated with Congress since the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections. He took an active role in his father’s campaign by organising rallies and community meetings across Jubilee Hills.

Speaking to The Print about receiving a party ticket, he remarked, “I don’t know what’s in store for me. My dad is still active in politics. Let’s see.”

Despite Azharuddin losing the 2023 Assembly election to BRS’s Maganti Gopinath by 16,337 votes, Asaduddin maintained his engagement with the constituency.

“All I can say is that despite the disappointing loss, I stayed strongly connected with the people in Jubilee Hills, taking up their issues,” he said.

Political Journey and Background

In the past, Asaduddin held the position of Sports Cell Secretary in the Youth Congress’s Telangana unit. He is a law graduate and is married to Anam Mirza, the sister of tennis star Sania Mirza.

His father, Mohammad Azharuddin, shared his pride on X: “A proud and emotional moment for me as my son, Mohammed Asaduddin, steps into his official role in public life as the General Secretary of the Telangana Congress.”

He added, “I’ve seen his commitment to people, his passion for service, and his sincerity up close. May he stay grounded, focused, and guided by the values that truly matter.”

Transition from Cricket to Politics

Despite reaching the Ranji level, cricket did not become Asaduddin’s full-time career. He had been selected to represent Hyderabad in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy season but was set back by the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted the domestic cricket calendar.

“I lost the peak of my career to Covid-19, when matches were rare. But I never despaired because, at heart, I always knew that I would work for the people,” he said.

Learning from Azharuddin’s Campaign

Asaduddin called the 2023 Assembly election campaign a major learning experience. “Throughout this campaign, I was by my father’s side and learnt the ropes of politics from him. Before that, in 2009, I had observed him keenly as a political student,” he shared.

His inclination toward social service further motivated him. “I was always inclined towards social service and have been working with minorities, the poor and those from socially marginalised backgrounds,” he told The Indian Express.

Congress’s Muslim Outreach Strategy

Asaduddin’s induction is part of Congress’s wider strategy to connect with Muslim communities in Telangana. The Jubilee Hills constituency alone has over one lakh Muslim voters.

“The Congress has always stood by minorities,” Asaduddin stated. Alongside him, other Muslim leaders such as TPCC vice-presidents Nawab Mujahed Alam Khan and Afser Yousuf Zai, and general secretaries Mohammed Abdul Faheem, Rahmath Hussain, and Mohammed Shabir Ali were also appointed to key posts.

TPCC spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin commented, “The Congress has a legacy of safeguarding minority rights and promoting inclusive development.

The newly appointed Muslim leaders bring with them years of grassroots experience and social commitment, and their elevation reflects the Congress’s dedication to ensuring political representation for every section of society.”

Awaiting Further Responsibilities

Asaduddin noted that he has not yet been assigned a specific role. “All the general secretaries of the party will meet the TPCC president (and sitting MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud) soon,” he said.

While cricket continues to hold a special place in his heart, Asaduddin’s focus is now firmly on politics, aiming to follow his father’s path while shaping a new legacy of his own.