‘You can’t malign me with motivated reports,’ Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka says

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday (January 18, 2026) strongly refuted allegations carried by a Telugu daily linking him to an irresponsible television news report against a woman IAS officer and a minister, asserting that he entered politics solely to ensure the State’s resources reach the people and not to enjoy power or position.

Reacting to the newspaper report while speaking to the media at Praja Bhavan in Hyderabad, Mr. Bhatti alleged that he was being deliberately targeted and suggested that the criticism could be linked to his long-standing association with former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

He claimed that the management of the newspaper might harbour resentment towards YSR’s legacy, which, he said, appeared to have reflected in the “fabricated” report.

Referring to allegations relating to tender conditions in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), Mr. Bhatti clarified that Singareni functions under its own established rules and procedures. “Tender conditions are finalised by the Singareni Board. Ministers have no role in framing them,” he said, dismissing the claims made in the report as baseless.

He stated that once allegations surfaced regarding a coal mine contract, he himself suggested that the tenders be cancelled to avoid any controversy. “The Board members informed me that tenders had been called but no bids were received. Even then, I instructed that the tenders be cancelled and called afresh,” he said.

Taking strong exception to the reportage, Mr. Bhatti warned that he would not remain silent if attempts were made to malign officials, ministers or the government through motivated reports.

“I live with self-respect and have spent over four decades fighting for people’s causes, both inside and outside the legislature. I did not enter politics casually,” he said, adding that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the entire Cabinet would not be intimidated by “motivated stories”.

The Deputy Chief Minister said he chose to respond only to ensure that the people of Telangana were aware of the truth.