New Delhi

Aparna Yadav, daughter-in-law of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday ahead of the assembly elections.

According to the sources, Aparna Yadav has sought a ticket from the Lucknow Cantt assembly seat. 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 joining the party. "I have also been influenced with BJP's works and schemes including Swachh Bharat mission, the welfare of women, employment. I will work in my fullest capacity.”

Aparna and Pratik Yadav married in 2011.

In the 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.

She also runs an organisation named 'bAware' for the welfare of women. She also runs a shelter for cows in Lucknow.

She had earlier praised the 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.