In Karimnagar, where KCR held his first simha garjana (lion’s roar) on May 17, 2001, people wear their T-patriotism on their sleeve. Almost every voter here, from 18 years upwards, is fired up when asked about the political scenario and expectations from the first government of the newborn Telangana. The emotional attachment people have towards KCR is extraordinary. “KCR is the man who brought the rulers of Delhi down to their knees and forced them to acknowledge the aspirations of the people of Telangana,” says Veerla Kavitha, who returned with her businessman husband from the UK to take part in the movement. Having contested for the post of zilla parishad chairperson, Kavitha feels that while the UPA Congress delivered statehood, it is the TRS which made it happen. Across the 13 Assembly constituencies of Karimnagar, the TRS has an edge in at least 8-10, say locals. The TRS is said to have a strong base in the north Telangana districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Warangal and Karimnagar and is gaining in Mahboobnagar too, if K.T. Rama Rao, KCR’s son, is to be believed.