In a major setback to the Congress party, senior leader and former minister DK Aruna joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday night in the presence of the party national chief Amit Shah.

Shah announced her joining into the party during the BJP Central Election Committee meeting held on Tuesday. Aruna is said to be contesting from Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha segment.

BJP national chief secretary Ram Madhav held discussions with Aruna in Hyderabad and later the party chief spoke to her over phone assuring her bright future in the saffron party. DK Aruna joined the party on behalf of Amit Shah, union minister JP Nadda at 1 am today.