Less than 4 months to go for the Lok Sabha elections and in the bell wether state of Uttar Pradesh, strategies and alliances are firming up. CNN-News18 is learning that BSP supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, alomg with the RLD, have sealed a mahagathbandhan deal. An official announcement is expected to be made on Mayawati's birthday on the 15th of January, which is when she and Akhilesh are also expected to share stage together for the first time.