New Delhi, Nov 6 (Zee News): With the BJP continuing its winning streak in states after states and the Congress losing its support base across the country, regional players have smelled an opportunity to become relevant and emerge as a force second only to the ruling party.

To take forward their plans, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is currently hosting several opposition leaders of non-Congress, non-BJP parties over lunch at his official residence in Delhi.

Among those in attendance are former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, and former PM and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda.

Notably, no Left leader is present at today's meeting unlike previous instances.

Sources said the agendum of today's meeting is not to stitch together a Third Front but form a group of like-minded parties that could influence decision-making during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

The BJP's stellar performances in recent national and state elections have reduced the Congress as well as several regional parties to a minority, with some even facing the prospect of losing national party status.