Who Is Aparna Yadav? UP BJP Leader And Wife Of Prateek Yadav, Who Passed Away At 38

Prateek Yadav, the stepbrother of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, passed away in Lucknow on Wednesday at the age of 38. According to sources, he was taken to a hospital in the early hours, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The exact cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed, and a post-mortem examination is underway.

Following the news of Prateek Yadav's death, attention has once again turned towards Aparna Yadav, who has remained an active political figure in Uttar Pradesh over the years.

Who Is Aparna Yadav?

Aparna Yadav is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and social activist from Uttar Pradesh. She is the wife of late Prateek Yadav, the son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife, Sadhana Gupta.

Often referred to as the "chhoti bahu" of the Yadav family, Aparna entered politics through the Samajwadi Party before later joining the BJP.

Born in present-day Uttarakhand and raised in Lucknow, Aparna completed her schooling in Uttar Pradesh before pursuing higher education abroad. She holds a master's degree in International Relations and Politics from the University of Manchester. She also received training in classical and semi-classical music from Lucknow's Bhatkhande Music Institute.

Aparna Yadav's Political Journey

Aparna Yadav started her political career with the Samajwadi Party and contested the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from the Lucknow Cantonment constituency. However, she lost the election.

Over time, her political stance began to differ from the Samajwadi Party leadership. Aparna publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on several occasions, leading to speculation about her future political move.

In January 2022, Aparna officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying she wanted to contribute towards national development and women's empowerment. In 2024, she was appointed vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women's Commission.

Social Work And Public Image

Apart from politics, Aparna Yadav has also been associated with animal welfare and social awareness initiatives. She runs an organisation called "B Aware," which focuses on animal rescue and protection activities.

She has also spoken publicly on issues related to women's safety, social welfare and public awareness campaigns in Uttar Pradesh.

Marriage With Prateek Yadav

Aparna Yadav married Prateek Yadav in 2011 in a high-profile ceremony held in Saifai, the ancestral village of the Yadav family in Etawah district. The couple has a daughter.

Unlike many members of the Yadav political family, Prateek Yadav largely stayed away from active politics and focused on business and fitness ventures. He was known in Lucknow's fitness circles and reportedly ran a gym called "The Fitness Planet."

This Is How Their Love Story Began

During an interview, Aparna Yadav had shared the story of how she and Prateek Yadav fell in love in a simple yet heartfelt manner. Their story seemed no less than a film script - built on genuine emotions rather than glamour, and a relationship that had stood the test of time, which now appears completely different from Prateek's recent allegations.

Aparna Yadav and Prateek Yadav studied in different schools, but they would occasionally meet during school programmes and events held in Lucknow. Initially, it was just a casual acquaintance. At that time, Aparna had no idea that Prateek Yadav was the son of Samajwadi Party founder and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Their friendship grew through common friends, and gradually they started talking more often. Having both studied in Lucknow also gave them a shared background, helping them understand each other better.

Love Was Confessed Through Email

This was a time when WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram did not exist. Email and phone calls were the primary means of communication.

In 2001, during a birthday party, Prateek Yadav asked Aparna for her email address. A few days later, Aparna saw an email from Prateek in her inbox - a message that would eventually change the course of her life.

In that email, Prateek expressed his feelings for her in a very honest and straightforward manner. That marked the real beginning of their love story.

What started through emails gradually deepened over time. Aparna and Prateek remained in a relationship for nearly 10 years, supporting and understanding each other through different phases of life. After being together for so long, the couple got married in 2011.

Their wedding was considered one of the most high-profile weddings in Uttar Pradesh at the time. Several prominent personalities attended the ceremony, including superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and industrialist Anil Ambani.

Aparna Yadav's Background

Aparna Yadav is not only the daughter-in-law of a prominent political family but has also built an identity of her own over the years. She completed her postgraduation in International Relations and Politics from the University of Manchester.

Apart from politics, Aparna is also a trained classical singer. In 2017, she contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but lost to BJP candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi. She later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Reports Of Rift Before Prateek Yadav's Death

Earlier this year, Prateek Yadav had shared social media posts alleging personal and marital issues. In the posts, he claimed he was facing severe mental stress and suggested that differences had emerged between him, Aparna Yadav and some family members. He had also reportedly spoken about plans for divorce.

However, there was no official confirmation regarding any legal separation proceedings from either side.

Following Prateek Yadav's sudden demise, condolences poured in from political leaders and supporters across Uttar Pradesh, with many expressing shock over his death at a young age.