Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy issued a stern warning to media organizations, urging them not to involve his cabinet colleagues in their internal conflicts or publish "slanderous" stories that could harm the state government's reputation. Speaking at a public meeting in Khammam on Sunday, January 18, 2026, CM Reddy emphasized that media outlets should resolve their disputes internally rather than targeting ministers. He also invited media personnel to approach him directly for clarifications regarding any allegations against his cabinet. The Chief Minister's remarks came in response to recent reports by a Telugu newspaper and a television channel that alleged corruption in the tenders awarded by the state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for the Naini coal block, located in Odisha. These reports specifically implicated Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who also holds the crucial Energy and Finance portfolios, in the alleged irregularities. In a separate press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka strongly denied the accusations, dismissing them as "fabricated stories" and a deliberate act of "character assassination." He clarified that the tendering process for the Naini coal block is managed by the SCCL Board in strict adherence to guidelines set by the central government, asserting that ministers play no direct role in finalizing such tenders. To underscore his commitment to transparency and to remove any shadow of doubt, Bhatti Vikramarka announced the immediate cancellation of the existing Naini coal block tenders and directed the SCCL to issue fresh bids. Both CM Revanth Reddy and Dy CM Bhatti Vikramarka suggested that these media reports were politically motivated. Bhatti alleged that he was being targeted due to his close association with former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. Revanth Reddy further accused "vested interests" of attempting to destabilize his government and hinted at some media houses engaging in "blackmail journalism" by threatening negative coverage if their business interests in areas like real estate or tenders were not met. The controversy also touched upon the recent arrests of two journalists for broadcasting content related to a woman IAS officer and a state minister, with CM Reddy asserting that media freedom does not grant a license for character assassination or the airing of derogatory private content. The Chief Minister reiterated his government's commitment to zero corruption and vowed to protect Telangana's assets.