Sridhar Babu Denies Secret Ministers' Meeting

Telangana IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu today dismissed reports describing a recent meeting of ministers as a secret gathering, terming such claims misleading.

In a statement, the minister said that in a democratic system, discussions among those holding constitutional responsibilities should not be misrepresented or given unwarranted political colour. He expressed concern over the "false narratives" being circulated on the social media and by sections of the media. Babu appealed to the media to act responsibly and contribute positively to the State's development.

"The Cabinet functions as a collective unit. Coordination among senior ministers on governance-related issues is part of our responsibility to ensure smooth administration," he said, and added that the meeting took place at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and focused on administrative matters.

Speaking about the circumstances, Babu said that after the 'At Home' program at Lok Bhavan, the ministers travelled together in a single vehicle, openly and in full public view, and that there was nothing covert about the interaction.

He said that the discussions also included preparedness for the forthcoming municipal elections, and that such deliberations were a routine and legitimate part of political activity in a democratic system. "Portraying such discussions as secretive is unwarranted," he said.

The minister also said that the government welcomed constructive criticism, and lamented that speculative reporting and personal attacks undermined democratic discourse.