Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has warned ABN-Andhra Jyothi Managing Director Vemuri Radhakrishna of legal action for making what he described as false and defamatory allegations about Singareni tenders and diesel supply.
At a press conference held at Jyotirao Phule Bhavan, Vikramarka demanded that Radhakrishna retract the statements publicly. He said failing to do so would be considered defamatory. He accused the ABN-Andhra Jyothi group of publishing misleading reports aimed at lowering the morale of over 70,000 Singareni workers.
Vikramarka clarified that neither Singareni tenders nor related files are handled by him or the state government. “Singareni is managed by an independent board of senior officials. It functions autonomously and follows transparent procedures,” he said.
Bhatti warns ABN-Andhra Jyothi of defamation over coal block claims
Addressing specific claims about the Naini coal block, Vikramarka denied introducing any new tender rules. He explained that site inspections have been mandatory since 2018, as per CMPDIL norms. Tender documents from 2018, 2021, and 2023 support this, he said. Furthermore, he added that similar conditions apply in tenders issued by NMDC, IITs, IIMs, and public sector companies across India.
He accused Radhakrishna of spreading a fabricated story meant to tarnish his reputation. In response to separate allegations from BRS MLA T. Harish Rao, Vikramarka said the diesel supply arrangement began in 2022 under the previous BRS government. That system, he said, was designed to prevent fuel theft and comply with GST rules.
Clarifying another claim, he said Shodha Constructions Private Limited is headed by Deepti Reddy, daughter of former TRS MLA Kandala Upender Reddy. He pointed out that her husband, Sujan Reddy, is not related to the Chief Minister. According to Vikramarka, the five major contractors at Singareni have links to BRS leaders, not the Congress.
“Harish Rao could have spoken to me directly if he had any doubts,” Vikramarka said. He added that he supports a probe into all Singareni tenders since 2014. As the Chief Minister is currently abroad, Vikramarka said he would personally request an official inquiry upon his return.
“Singareni is a public asset. Misleading statements for political advantage harm the state,” he said. “I did not enter politics to earn money. I will not allow the hard-earned assets of Singareni workers to be looted,” he added.