Mayawati, known as the "Queen of Dalits", said on Wednesday that 10 regional-based Opposition parties were uniting a day after the Congress party-led government won the trust vote.

"The government won the vote of confidence but lost the trust of the nation," Mayawati said.

Mayawati emerged as one of the strongest organisers of Opposition to the ruling coalition, and Wednesday's meeting was the latest sign of her growing influence.

Mayawati's support base in among Dalits who account for about 16 per cent of India's 1.1 billion people and have traditionally been supporters of the Congress.

"Wherever the Congress has enjoyed the support of Dalits Mayawati will cast a shadow," said A K Verma, a leading political commentator from Uttar Pradesh.

But Mayawati is also forging ties with regional, non-Dalit parties keen to hitch onto her bandwagon.

For the Congress, hamstrung by record inflation, and the BJP, the growing clout of Mayawati could mean they lose seats to her party.

"Remember, half of India doesn't vote for either Congress or BJP," said political analyst Mahesh Rangarajan. "They vote for regional parties, and what she is doing is forge these parties."

THIRD FRONT

This is not the first time a ‘Third Front’, an alternative to the Congress and BJP, has been talked about.

In the past, such groupings lacked a common platform and were unable to win enough support to form stable governments. They generally hold the balance of power rather than lead the country.

Even now this coalition of Opposition parties that Mayawati leads only has around 100 seats. It will still probably be dependent on one of the national parties to be in power.

Mayawati has also been investigated for corruption, with reports of a lavish lifestyle and expensive houses. She has erected statues to herself in Uttar Pradesh.