Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president N. Ramchander Rao began a 48-hour hunger strike on Monday, August 24, demanding the immediate release of around ₹15,000 crore in pending fee reimbursement dues. The protest was launched at the BJP's state office in Hyderabad in support of students and educational institutions awaiting payments. Rao accused the Congress government in Telangana of failing to address the issue and warned that the delay could affect the education of millions of students.

During the protest, Rao targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and questioned his silence on the pending fee reimbursement issue in Telangana. He challenged Gandhi to visit the state and respond to students' concerns, alleging that the Congress leadership had been raising student-related issues in BJP-ruled states while failing to address similar concerns in a state governed by the party. The BJP leader said the issue required immediate attention from the state government.

Rao claimed that nearly 40 lakh students in Telangana could be affected by the delay in releasing fee reimbursement funds. He accused the Congress government of neglecting the education sector and said the continued withholding of payments was creating difficulties for students and educational institutions. According to the BJP leader, colleges depend on the reimbursement system to recover eligible fees, and prolonged delays could place additional financial pressure on institutions.

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The Telangana BJP president also criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who holds the education portfolio, over the government's handling of the issue. Rao described the administration's approach as stubborn and authoritarian and alleged that it had pushed the state's education system into a serious crisis. He called on the government to release the pending funds without further delay and take steps to prevent similar arrears from accumulating.

The 48-hour hunger strike is part of the BJP's campaign to put pressure on the Telangana government over the reimbursement issue. The party has positioned the protest as a demonstration of support for students who are seeking the release of funds. Rao's remarks also sharpened the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress government in the state, with education and student welfare becoming a major point of criticism.

The dispute over fee reimbursement comes as political parties continue to debate the financial commitments required to support students from eligible communities and families. The BJP is seeking immediate action from the Telangana government, while the issue has become another area of confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition. Rao's two-day protest is expected to keep attention focused on the pending dues and the government's response to the demands raised by students and opposition leaders.

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