AS THE Uttar Pradesh election enters its last two phases, small parties and caste groups are likely to play a significant role in deciding the outcome in 89 constituencies that go to the polls on March 4 and 8. If Ajit Singh’s RLD, which fought the polls alone in western UP seats, claims that no government can be formed in Lucknow without its support, an array of small parties – claiming to represent several different castes and their aspirations – may claim the same in eastern part of the state.