At last year's anniversary dinner, the UPA had accorded pride of place to Mulayam Singh Yadav on the dais, along with the alliance's stars. Who will be given a similar honour tonight at the UPA's ninth anniversary dinner?

Sources say that hectic efforts are being made to convince BSP supremo Mayawati to attend. Her presence, the argument goes, will lend the embattled alliance a semblance of stability. But of course, the multi-crore question is, will Mayawati bite?