Telangana’s BJP president, N. Ramchander Rao, delivered a stark warning to the State government on Wednesday, declaring that his party, alongside private college managements and students, would lay siege to the Secretariat. This drastic action is threatened if the government fails to immediately settle all outstanding fee reimbursement arrears. Rao explicitly stated that no Minister would be permitted to leave the premises until these crucial dues are fully paid.
During a series of election rallies in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency, Mr. Rao sharply criticized the Congress government for its repeated failures to clear the arrears, despite having set numerous deadlines. He cautioned the administration against jeopardizing the academic future of thousands of students by neglecting these payments.
Mr. Rao reminded the public of the Revanth Reddy-led government’s earlier promise to release ₹500 crore monthly for fee reimbursements. However, he lamented that the government has proven ‘incompetent,’ unable to honor its commitments even after initiating multiple payment tokens.
A visual from Wednesday shows BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao engaging in a ‘padayatra’ (foot march) at Yadagiri Nagar Kaman, part of the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency byelections in Hyderabad. (Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G)
Earlier in the day, Mr. Rao embarked on a ‘padayatra’ commencing from Yadgirinagar Kaman, near SGB School in Venkalrao Nagar division. During his door-to-door visits, he interacted extensively with local residents, who offered a warm reception alongside BJP workers. He urged their support for BJP candidate Lankala Deepak Reddy, noting that the enthusiastic public response underscores a growing dissatisfaction with the current Congress government.
In a separate session with the media and at various election gatherings, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and former State party chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar echoed similar concerns. He warned of severe repercussions if the State government continues to withhold pending payments for both the Aarogyasri Health Scheme and the student fee reimbursement program. Kumar alleged that the ruling party is deliberately delaying payments, possibly using commissions as an excuse, and voiced alarm over funds potentially being diverted to the Congress High Command to bolster election campaigns for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.