Lucknow, Feb. 15 -- Former Congress leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui on Sunday joined the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) in Lucknow, expressing deep respect for the party chief and vowing to strengthen the organisation.

Siddiqui, who was earlier associated with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and had later resigned from the Congress, joined the Samajwadi Party in the presence of Akhilesh Yadav today.

Speaking to ANI before joining the party, Siddiqui said he had "old relations" with SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav and that he would work under his guidance and "shoulder to shoulder" with other senior leaders to strengthen the organisation.

"I have old relations with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. I respect him immensely. We will follow...