Lucknow/IBNS: Former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Malook Nagar joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) in presence of party chief Jayant Chaudhary just a few days ahead of the kickstarting of the Lok Sabha elections, media reports said.

Nagar, an outgoing MP from Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor, quit former Chief Minister Mayawati's BSP after he was denied a ticket from the same constituency.

In his resignation letter, Nagar cited several factors including the current political climate as the reason behind his decision to dump BSP.

Apparently buoyant by the new inclusion, Jayant told the media, "Our campaign will be strengthened and helped. All NDA candidates will be benefitted."

Nagar is the latest leader among many to desert the BSP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The northern Indian state, which has 80 Lok Sabha seats, will go through the polls in seven phases from April 19 to June 1.

The counting of votes will take place on June 4.