Maurya, founder of the Apni Janata Party (AJP) and a former minister who has been associated with the BSP, BJP and SP, described the nearly one-hour meeting in Lucknow as “formal”. However, political observers see it as the beginning of efforts to bring together smaller parties, with the possibility of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) also joining in.