Former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav’s sister-in-law Aparna Yadav on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, giving a blow to the Samajwadi Party ahead of the Assembly Polls.

She is the wife of Akhilesh Yadav’s brother Pratik Yadav.

“I am thankful to the BJP leadership for allowing me to be a part of the party,”  Aparna Yadav said.

” I am always dedicated towards serving the nation,” she said.

Aparna Yadav said PM Narendra Modi always ‘inspired’ her.

Assembly elections will be held in seven phases in UP between Feb 10 to Mar 7.

Apart from UP, elections would be held in four other states namely Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur within this time frame.

Counting of votes will take place on Mar 10.