A person can take oath as a minister if they are a citizen of the state. However, the Constitution requires them to get elected to either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council within six months. Otherwise, they must resign from the post.
In the past 30 years, only three leaders have taken oath as ministers without being members of either house — Nandamuri Harikrishna from TDP, T. Harish Rao from TRS (now BRS), and, most recently, Mohammad Azharuddin from Congress.
Azharuddin took oath on Friday. He must win a seat in either house before the end of April or step down as minister. The State Cabinet has recommended his nomination to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota, but the Governor has not approved it yet.
Sources say the Governor is waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict in a related case filed earlier by BRS leader Dasoju Sravan. Until the court gives its judgment, Azharuddin’s nomination will remain pending.
Earlier, both Harish Rao and Harikrishna faced similar challenges. However, only Harish Rao managed to win a bypoll and continue as minister.
