UP Polls: Aparna Yadav Tweets A "Blessing Picture With NetaJi"

The BJP is expected to give her a seat to contest

New Delhi: Days after joining hands with ruling party BJP, Akhilesh's sister-in-law Aparna Yadav tweeted a photo of her meeting with Samajwadi Party founder and her father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lucknow, ahead of the UP polls.

In the tweet in Hindi by the new BJP member, Ms. Yadav wrote: "Took the blessings of my Father/Netaji in Lucknow after taking membership of the Bharatiya Janta Party."

Meanwhile, a BJP supporter tweeted a reply to the photo, saying: "This means even Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) wants the BJP to win."

Aparna Yadav is married to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's half-brother Prateek Yadav, the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav's second wife.

Taking note from the joining, the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, brushed aside the defection of his sister-in-law, "thanking the BJP" for reducing the burden of dynasts within his party.

To date, Aparna Yadav was never subtle about her admiration for the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Yet, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav revealed that his father did try to talk her out of crossing over to the rival camp.

While giving his first response to Ms Yadav joining BJP, the SP chief said, "First of all, I would like to congratulate her and extend best wishes. I am also happy that our socialist ideology is expanding. I hope that our ideology will reach there and work to save the constitution and democracy."

"Netaji tried very hard to convince her," he added when asked if Mulayam Singh Yadav had given his blessings to Aparna Yadav's move.

Mr. Yadav also implied that Aparna Yadav had been upset about not being chosen as a Samajwadi Party candidate for next month's Uttar Pradesh election.

The BJP is expected to give her a seat to contest.