UP elections: Mulayam Singh's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav to join BJP on Jan 19: Sources

In a major scoop from poll-bound Uttar Presh, Republic on Tuesday learnt that Samajwi Party's founder Mulayam Singh Yav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yav will be joining Bharatiya Janata Party on January 19. Aparna, in past, has often come forward to support BJP-led Uttar Presh government and has also been spotted with Chief Minister Yogi ityanath.

Aparna to contest from Lucknow Cantt?

Wife of Prateek Yav, step-bror of Akhilesh Yav, Aparna in 2017 assembly elections h contested from Lucknow Cantt against BJP's Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi and lost by a margin of 33,796 votes. Speaking about her loss, Aparna has in numerous interviews claimed that she was given a ticket by SP in a constituency widely dominated by BJP. ' loss was inevitable,' she has often said. 

Buzz, however, is that even BJP is planning to give Aparna a ticket from  Lucknow Cantt. 

Aparna has not been a fan of policies, points and opinions followed by SP, and has often come forward to criticise it on public platforms.  young politician once said she "could not take responsibility" for what her family h done in past. Her remark came in response to Mulayam Singh Yav's actions as UP Chief Minister in 1990. During his tenure, Yav h given controversial orders to UP police to open fire on kar sevaks near Babri Masjid, an act that caused a massive uproar across state and country.

In fact, also on controversial topics like National Register of Citizens, Aparna openly defied stance of SP. Taking to her official Twitter handle, she wrote, "If someone belongs to India, what problem do y have to get registered in roster?" with hashtags like #NRCBill #NRCProtest. 

At a time, when Akhilesh Yav was out and about inciting vaccine hesitancy, Aparna was urging people to get vaccinated through her social media platform. She h even shared a poster with her picture that re, "Don't keep any doubt in your mind, when your turn comes, go and get vaccinated.  

Her induction into BJP could turn tables for ruling party, which has suffered many deflections ahe of UP elections that are set to be held in seven phases. will commence on February 10 and end on March 7. \

polling for first four phases will be held on February 10, 14, 20 and 23 respectively, while remaining three phases will take place on February 27, March 3 and March 7. Meanwhile,  counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on March 10.