NEW DELHI, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Veteran Bollywood star-turned-politician Jaya Prada joined the India's main ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday in the presence of party's senior General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav.

Prada served two five-year terms as a lawmaker during 2004-2014 in the Indian parliament's lower house Lok Sabha, representing the Samajwadi Party, a state level party in northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, she was a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the current ruling party in southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Prada hails from Andhra Pradesh state.

After joining the BJP, the 57-year-old former Bollywood star is expected to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections from the Rampur constituency which she represented for 10 years from 2004 to 2014.

Earlier, she was a lawmaker in the Indian parliament's upper house Rajya Sabha from 1996 to 2002.

Popular Bollywood and cricket stars joining politics is nothing new in India. Only a couple of days ago cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the BJP. The political parties depend on these celebrities for attracting both voters and media coverage.

India is ready to hold seven-phase general elections beginning on April 11. Results will be announced on May 23.