With the next Telangana Assembly elections still more than two years away, political parties in the state have already begun mobilising financial resources for the polls.
While the Congress, being both the ruling party in Telangana and a national party, is able to attract funds from various donors, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, despite being in opposition, has witnessed a slight increase in donations compared with the previous year.
According to the latest contribution report submitted to the Election Commission, the BRS received Rs 16.4 crore in donations during 2025-26, compared with Rs 15.1 crore in the previous financial year.
Political funding patterns are often closely watched because parties in power generally have greater access to fundraising networks and organisational resources. Yet, the increase in contributions to the BRS despite being out of power suggests that it continues to retain the confidence of sections of its donor base.
“This could indicate that some donors still see the BRS as a serious political force and believe it has a chance of returning to power in the next elections,” an analyst said.
Political analysts, however, point out that the actual strength of the BRS will ultimately be tested through electoral performance, cadre mobilisation, organisational capacity and the quality of its candidates.
The upcoming Khairatabad Assembly by-election is expected to provide an important test for the three major political parties in Telangana. The seat has been declared vacant following the disqualification of Danam Nagender, setting the stage for a fresh electoral contest.
The BRS is hoping to stage a comeback by winning the Khairatabad seat. Party sources believe that a victory could strengthen the confidence of its supporters and donors ahead of future elections.
For now, the rise in donations has given the BRS another talking point as it prepares for the Khairatabad battle and seeks to demonstrate that it continues to command both political and financial backing despite being in opposition.
