Hyderabad: With elections for the recognised union of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) due within the next two to three months, the coal belt has become a fiercely contested political battleground. Major parties are intensifying their campaigns across the region as union control and allegations of irregularities take center stage.
The coal belt, which spans 11 assembly constituencies and employs over 40,000 workers, has seen sustained activity from BRS, Congress, CPI, BJP and the newly-formed Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS). Party-affiliated trade unions are mobilising members and leaders have been touring mining areas to consolidate support.
In recent past, senior BRS leaders T Harish Rao and KT Rama Rao have highlighted alleged irregularities, including claims about missing coal stocks worth ₹1,600 crore, tender participation rules, and a solar power agreement with Rajasthan. Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka visited Mancherial and Srirampur, handed over 335 compassionate appointment letters, announced resumption of medical boards for invalidation cases, and accused rivals of attempting to privatise SCCL.
TRS chief K Kavitha, formerly head of BRS-affiliated Telangana Boggugani Karmika Sangham, is campaigning in the coal belt and criticising both Congress and BRS. She is now associated with Hind Mazdoor Sangh. Lone CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao has begun groundwork in his Kothagudem segment, while Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy has called for an inquiry into alleged irregularities and coal scam at SCCL.
Allegations and counter-allegations over tender irregularities, missing coal stocks, and contract deals are dominating discourse and are likely to influence union voting. Parties are using these issues to question rivals’ stewardship and to rally worker support.
Elections for the recognised trade union were previously held in Dec 2023, with INTUC (Congress-affiliated) and AITUC (CPI-backed) winning. They delayed taking the election certificate until Sept 2024, arguing the union term should be four years rather than two. Although the unions’ technical term ended in Dec 2025, SCCL management agreed to extend recognition until Sept 2026. Other trade unions have demanded equal status until fresh elections are completed.
Analysts claimed intensified campaigning, more public meetings and targeted outreach in Mancherial, Bhupalpally, Kothagudem and surrounding mining townships.
