The first major public meeting of TRS, Simhagarjana, was held on May 17, 2001, in Karimnagar, marking a significant milestone in the Telangana movement. The event saw the participation of Jharkhand leader Shibu Soren, who expressed solidarity with the cause. The meeting focused on key issues affecting Telangana, including weaver suicides, the closure of industries, rising unemployment, and government neglect. It also highlighted regional inequalities, such as the closure of the Ramagundam Fertilizer Corporation, while the government made efforts to protect the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The massive success of Simhagarjana generated enthusiasm among the people, leading to further district-level gatherings in Palamuru, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, and Warangal.
Following this mobilization, TRS achieved remarkable success in the Panchayat elections, held within two months of its formation. The party secured 1,000 MPTC seats, 87 ZPTC seats, 84 MPP seats, and Zilla Parishad chairman positions in Karimnagar and Nizamabad, establishing a strong grassroots presence in Telangana’s villages. This electoral breakthrough sent shockwaves among major political parties, signaling the growing influence of TRS. Further strengthening its position, KCR contested and reclaimed the Siddipet MLA seat, winning with a 58,712-vote majority in a by-election. This landslide victory reinforced public confidence in TRS, demonstrating widespread support for the party’s demand for Telangana statehood.