Former Bahujan Samaj Party leader and Padrauna MLA Swami Prasad Maurya is expected to join BJP today in New Delhi, along with his supporters which include many former party leaders.

The former BSP general secretary had left Mayawati's party on June 22, accusing BSP chief of selling poll tickets and deceiving Dalits.

Maurya's departure was seen as a big loss for Mayawati as he was was regarded as the OBC face of BSP. He was also the Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly when he announced his resignation.

Reports say that Maurya would fly to New Delhi on Monday to join the BJP.

Some former BSP leaders, including Shivpur MLA Udai Lal and former MLCs and MLAs are also expected to accompany him.

Maurya's entry into BJP could help the party pocket the Kushwaha-Maurya castes of western UP ? one of the largest OBC groups in the state. In a clear attempt to woo the caste group, the BJP had earlier appointed Phulpur MP Keshav Prasad Maurya as its state party president.