Yadavs, the core of the SP's base, are numerically and socially dominant among the OBCs.
But the 200-odd non-Yadav OBCs together account for over double the Yadav population. They include the Kurmis, Koeris, Lodhs, Jats and Sunars, while the Pasis and Valmikis are the large groups among Dalits.
The Peace Party of India won four assembly seats in the 2012 UP assembly polls and plans to forge an alliance with the Nishad Party to contest all the 403 seats.
The PPI has its support base among Muslims and contested 200 seats in 2012 with the Apna Dal as its ally.
The Nishad Party banks on the votes of fishermen in parts of eastern UP where the Nishad community has a sizeable presence.
The Mallah community, which makes up around 4.5 per cent votes, is divided into 27 sub-castes, and has a good presence in roughly 125 constituencies along the rivers in UP, where they contribute to the victory and defeat of candidates.
In eastern UP itself, another party -- the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party -- is reported to be giving touches to seat sharing arrangements with the BJP.
