Kodumuru YCP MLA Mani Gandhi joins TDP

Kodumuru YCP MLA Mani Gandhi as expected met Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at his residence near Vijayawada on Wednesday morning, giving the shock to the Jaganmohan Redddy's party in its stronghold of Kurnool in Rayalaseema districts. Mani Gandhi, who had expressed his desire to join the ruling TDP, was greeted by the Chief Minister. The reason for his joining the ruling party was that Kodumuru was a backward area and that he wanted to bring about its development. Along with Mani Gandhi, several Telugu Desam leaders from the area also attended the meeting with Chandrababu. The Kodumuru MLA held talks with Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu later. The YCP strength in the Assembly now stood at 59, with Mani Gandhi joining the TDP.