Former TDP MLA Gunda Lakshmi Devi likely to join YSRCP on October 22

Former Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Gunda Lakshmi Devi and her supporters are likely to join the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the presence of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in Tadepalli near Vijayawada on Thursday (October 22, 2026). She is expected to be the mayoral candidate for the Srikakulam Municipal Corporation, where elections will be held in about two months because of legal issues.

Former Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, who won from Srikakulam in the 2004 and 2009 elections, defeating TDP nominee Gunda Appala Suryanarayana, was defeated in the 2014 elections at the hands of Ms. Lakshmi Devi. But she was defeated at the hands of Mr. Prasada Rao in the 2019 Assembly elections.

The TDP did not give a ticket to Ms. Lakshmi Devi in the 2024 general elections. Her husband, Mr. Suryanarayana, died a year ago.

Recently, the TDP indicated that the Mayor ticket could not be given to Ms. Lakshmi Devi. She held discussions with her loyal leaders and decided to join the YSRCP at the request of Mr. Prasada Rao.