Mayawati, first lady of Indian politics' third end

MAYA'S MAGIC: Mayawati is mesmerising politicians across the length and breadth of the country.

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New Delhi: Amidst the uncertainty of who would emerge winner after the trust vote - the UPA or those opposing it - there's one thing that's sure, which is that Mayawati has emerged as the new political magnet and is steadily drawing more and more allies to her fold.

It's an august gathering which the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has taken over and she has effectively become the new face of the Third Front.

UNPA leaders have rallied around her to defeat the UPA Government - something which has greatly enhanced her stature despite the murky trust vote politics. Forty-eight hours in Delhi have been enough for her to galvanize a new coalition and her one-point-agenda is loud and clear.

"We have decided that on July 22 in thr trust vote, we need to topple the UPA Government and all leaders must focus on this," she said at a press conference.

She has been breaking the ranks of the Samajwadi Party. On a dramatic Sunday, she won over Jat leader Ajit Singh. Within hours, she was by the side of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.

Her role in the toppling game has completely outstripped that of the senior BJP leaders. If anybody has been weaning away possible support from the UPA, it is Mayawati.

She has stood taller than other united leaders in the UNPA luncheon and they have all decided to back her.

"In the past few days, she has emerged as a very important leader and she may be the Prime Minister when the right time comes," said RLD leader, Ajit Singh.

Like the new-look UPA, the new-look UNPA doesn't appear to be a stable coalition. On a number of issues, except anti-Congressism and anti-communalism, they have different views. But they are meeting the day after the trust vote to decide on a future course of action.

Mayawati captured the imagination of Uttar Pradesh last year. And now she is mesmerising politicians across the length and breadth of the country. They believe the future is with her. That is why everybody from Ajit Singh to Deve Gowda are surrendering themselves to her mayajaal.

(With inputs from Neha Seth in New Delhi)