BJP Backs Private Colleges' Statewide Bandh On Nov 3

The Telangana BJP today announced its support for the Statewide bandh called by private college managements on November 3 demanding the immediate release of pending fee reimbursement arrears by the Congress government.

A delegation of private college managements met State BJP President N Ramchander Rao at his residence on October 22 and discussed the financial hardships being faced by institutions due to the government's delay in releasing dues. They said that many institutions were struggling to pay staff salaries, with teachers losing jobs and students at risk of losing an academic year, and sought the BJP's support for their agitation.

Extending full backing to the bandh, Rao criticised the Congress government for not keeping its earlier promises to clear the dues first before Dussehra and then before Diwali, and said that failing to clear the arrears despite repeated assurances was leading to loss of faith in the government's assurances. He accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who also holds the education portfolio, of playing with the futures of students, and demanded the release of Rs 900 crore in pending fee reimbursement funds without delay.

He also said that the BJP would continue to fight until the legitimate demands of students, teachers and institutions were met.