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As a key strategy, the BJP is ready to set apart 50 to 55 seats for smaller parties like the Apna Dal, Bharatiya Samaj Party, Rashtriya Samanta Dal and Janata Dal (United) to woo OBC voters in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, met Apna Dal's Sone Lal Patel at the residence of JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav on Monday in what was described as a key development in the run-up to a seat-sharing agreement.

Though the BJP is tight-lipped on the number of seats it is willing to share, the party leaders are ready to offer 30 to 35 seats for the Apna Dal, which is a party of Kurmis in eastern and central parts of the state.

Naqvi, who is tasked with working out the alliances, said Monday's meeting was the result of efforts on both sides for the last two months.

In a bid to please Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other JD(U) leaders, the BJP will not mind the JD(U) contesting 10 to 15 seats.

The BJP is also willing to accommodate the Bharatiya Samaj Party, which represents the Rajbhar community headed by Om Prakash Rajbhar. The community is spread over eastern UP areas like Mirzapur, Azamgarh and Allahabad.

In the post-mandalised politics, smaller parties that represent dominating castes in certain areas are considered as a decisive factor. The BJP is anxious not to overlook their support as it works to unseat the Samajwadi Party, which is counting on the Yadavs, Rajputs and Muslims to retain power.