Who is Aparna Yadav: Prateek Yadav’s wife and ‘chhoti bahu’ of UP’s most influential Yadav clan in focus | Lucknow News

Aparna Yadav with Mulayam Singh Yadav (L) and Prateek Yadav (R)

LUCKNOW: Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and stepbrother of Akhilesh Yadav, died at the age of 38 in Lucknow on Wednesday. As per reports, Prateek suddenly fell ill and was taken to the civil hospital in the early hours of the day, but was declared dead at the hospital. Although hailing from a prominent political family, Prateek, a fitness enthusiast, had stayed away from active politics. However, his wife, Aparna Bisht Yadav, joined the BJP after contesting assembly election on Samajwadi Party’s ticket from Lucknow Cantt constituency. Aparna is currently the vice chairperson of the State Women Commission.

Who is Aparna Yadav

Prateek’s death comes months after he publicly accused his wife Aparna Yadav of damaging his relationship with his family and said he planned to seek a divorce, earlier this year. In a lengthy post shared on his verified Instagram account, Prateek Yadav described Aparna as a “family destroyer” and accused her of being self-centred and focused on gaining fame and influence.However, days after publicly declaring his intention to divorce his wife, Prateek, shared a new Instagram post carrying a contrasting message: “All is good.”Originally known as Aparna Bisht, she married Prateek Yadav in 2011 and the couple has a daughter. She is fondly called as the ‘chhoti bahu’ of the Yadav family.Aparna made her political debut in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections when she contested from the Lucknow Cantt seat on a Samajwadi Party ticket. During the campaign, Akhilesh Yadav was seen canvassing for her. However, she lost the election to BJP candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who secured nearly 63,000 votes.In 2022, Aparna switched camps and joined the BJP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Even before formally joining the BJP, she had publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.“I am very thankful to BJP. The nation always comes first for me. I admire PM Modi’s work,” she had said after joining the party at BJP headquarters in Delhi. She also praised BJP initiatives including the Swachh Bharat mission, women’s welfare and employment schemes.Despite joining the BJP ahead of the 2022 polls, Aparna did not contest either the assembly elections that year or the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In 2024, she was appointed vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission.Apart from politics, Aparna describes herself on X as a postgraduate in International Relations and Politics, a classical singer and a social worker. She also runs a women’s welfare organisation called “bAware” and operates a cow shelter in Lucknow.

Sought apology from Ram Gopal Yadav

In May 2025, Aparna sought an apology from SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav over his remarks on Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Praising the officer’s leadership during the operation, Aparna said senior politicians should show restraint and respect while speaking about armed forces personnel.She has also publicly backed several BJP initiatives and donated Rs 11 lakh towards the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.