Lucknow, April 28 -- In a setback to the opposition amid Lok Sabha polls, several Samajwadi Party leaders joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Lucknow on Sunday.

Former Samajwadi Party MLA Jai Choubey and several other leaders including Balram Yadav, and Jagat Jaiswal joined the BJP in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.

"Former MLA and several district presidents have joined our party today. Welcome, and congratulations to all of you. Those working at the block level are also coming along with them, they have a big responsibility in their hands," Pathak said.

"You all have decided to join the BJP... Under PM Modi's leadership, the BJP has reached to masses. Under PM Modi's guidance, we have taken a reso...