File photo of Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Taking a cue from AAP and BJP, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) led by K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has also sought donations from general public to fund its campaign for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections.
Addressing a gathering of Telangana supporters in Hyderabad today, KCR said the party was seeking donations for the first time and also read out a bank account number for depositing contributions.
"I appeal to people to make contributions as per their capacity", he said.
The appeal drew an immediate response with a party supporter announcing a contribution of Rs 5 lakh.
The TRS president was speaking at an event where an MLA and students' leaders joined the party.
BJP had in the past charged a nominal fee for some of the rallies addressed by its PM nominee Narendra Modi, while AAP led by Arvind Kejriwal is collecting Rs 20,000 per person for the fund raising dinner with Mr Kejriwal in Bangalore on March 15.
Observing that the fight of Telangana people is not over with the formation of separate state, KCR said the TRS should come to power for the "reconstruction" of the region.
Meanwhile, suspense continued whether TRS would have an electoral alliance with Congress or not.
The relations between two parties strained after TRS refused to merge with Congress in the wake of creation of Telanagana.
KCR had refused to commit to an alliance with Congress and in-turn appointed a committee, headed by party leader K Keshav Rao, to go into the issue.
AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who is likely to visit Hyderabad for three days from tomorrow, is expected to hold talks on the issue.
Taking exception to the reported comments by Union Minister Jairam Ramesh during his visit to Telangana recently, TRS MLA T Harish Rao has alleged that the former is hurting the interests of Telangana.
The TRS president himself hit out at Mr Ramesh earlier over his reported remarks that he is personally against the division of Andhra Pradesh.