New Delhi: A major setback to the Samajwadi Party ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Aparna Yadav, daughter-in-law of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. Aparna is the wife of Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger son Pratik.
"I am very thankful to BJP. The nation always comes first for me. I admire PM Modi's work," said Aparna Yadav after she joined the party at BJP headquarters in Delhi ahead of state Assembly polls. "I have also been influenced with BJP's works and schemes including Swachh Bharat mission, welfare of women, employment. I will work in my fullest capacity," she added.
In 2011, Aparna Yadav married Pratik Yadav. In 2017 assembly elections, she had contested from Lucknow Cantt but was defeated by BJP's Rita Bahuguna Joshi. She had secured nearly 63,000 votes.
Notably, she also runs and organisation named 'bAware' for the welfare of women. She also runs a shelter for cows in Lucknow. In the past, she has praised BJP's initiatives in the state and had also donated Rs 11 lakh for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Elections to the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
