By Ram Dutt Tripathi BBC News, Lucknow

Brahmins constitute eight percent of the state's population

Correspondents say the move by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, Mayawati, is a change in tactics.

Ms Mayawati has always portrayed herself as a leader of the lower case Dalit community and is usually highly critical of Brahmins.

The Hindu caste system is nearly 3,000 years old, and plays a key role in determining a person's social status.

Since its inception two decades ago, the BSP has ignored the higher castes.

That is why this rally in Lucknow, came as a surprise to many.

A group of saffron clad Brahmins chanted slogans in praise of Hindu Gods and blew conch shells blessing Ms Mayawati and her party.

"I am not opposed to Hindu religion , but I want to build a society based on equality," she said.

Brahmins constitute nearly eight percent of the population in Uttar Pradesh.

Ms Mayawati hopes to form the next state government, and wants to add the support of upper caste people - about three percent of the electorate - to her vote bank.

State assembly elections are due to be held within the next 18 months.