Former Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders Mandava Goutham and Mandava Lakshmi Neeraja from Ponnur Assembly constituency in Guntur district joined the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Wednesday in the presence of party president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.The induction took place at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, where Mr. Jagan welcomed the two leaders and called upon them to work towards strengthening the party in the Ponnur constituency.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Goutham and Ms. Lakshmi Neeraja said they were inspired by Mr. Jagan’s leadership, ideology and commitment to public welfare. They described the YSRCP as a party committed to safeguarding people’s interests and addressing public issues, and pledged to work for the organisation’s growth.Mr. Goutham had served as a TDP leader in the Ponnur constituency and as president of the party’s booth committee. He also held the posts of president of a cooperative society and vice-chairman of the Ponnur Market Yard. Ms. Lakshmi Neeraja served as TDP mandal president and contested the last Assembly election from Ponnur as the party’s candidate.Ponnur YSRCP coordinator Ambati Muralikrishna and several local party leaders were present. Published - July 29, 2026 06:44 pm IST