LUCKNOW: Putting speculations to rest, the Samajwadi Party (SP)'s patriarch and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of assembly elections in the state.
Aparna joined the BJP in the presence of deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh, at the party headquarters in the national capital.
1/6:In pics: Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP
<p>She joined the party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and and its state chief Swatantra Dev Singh - PTI</p>
2/6:In pics: Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP
<p>Aparna, who contested 2017 elections from Lucknow Cantonment and lost, is likely get a chance from Bakshi Ka Talab constituency - PTI</p>
3/6:In pics: Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP
<p>Aparna Yadav being greeted by BJP National President JP Nadda, at BJP HQ in New Delhi - PTI</p>
4/6:In pics: Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP
<p>Expressing her admiration for Modi, she also said the nation's interest has always been a priority for her - PTI</p>
5/6:In pics: Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP
<p>Aparna Yadav is married to Prateek Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh Yadav's second wife - ANI<br /></p>
6/6:In pics: Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav joins BJP
<p>I am very thankful to BJP. The nation always comes first for me. I admire PM Modi's work, Aparna Yadav said after joining BJP ahead of UP Assembly polls 2022 - PTI</p>Having seen an exodus of several ministers and party leaders to the Samajwadi Party, the BJP leadership in Uttar Pradesh was keen on poaching a member of the Yadav family. Aparna was wearing saffron stole during the ceremony.
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In the early 30s, Aparna married Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Earlier in 2017, Aparna had contested assembly elections from Lucknow Cantt from Samajwadi Party. But she lost to BJP’s candidate Reeta Bahuguna Joshi.
Aparna was vying for a ticket for the upcoming assembly elections and her supporters had put up her posters and banners in several parts of Amethi.
However, Aparna switched loyalties and decided to join the ruling party. Sister-in-law of SP president Akhilesh Yadav while addressing the media Aparna said, “I have always remained impressed by prime minister Narendra Modi. And I am ready to dedicate my life to this nation. I have been impressed with the way various welfare schemes are run by the party.”
Earlier too Aparna has praised PM Modi publicly on several occasions. Soon after chief minister Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister, Aparna and Prateek visited him.
Both Aparna and Yogi are from Uttarakhand and Yogi returned the favour by visiting Kanha Upvan, the cow shelter that is run by the couple in Lucknow.
Among senior party leaders, national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni who is also from Uttarakhand was present during the joining ceremony.
