In 1995, she became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time. She got the double distinction of becoming the youngest CM of UP as well as the first female Dalit CM ever in India. Her first term was short lived and she contested the 1996 Lok Sabha elections from Harora and was elected to parliament.
She became CM of Uttar Pradesh once again in 1997 [Mar 21 – Sep 21], 2002 [May 3, 2002 – Aug 23, 2003] and 2007 [May 13, 2007 – March 7, 2012]. In 1997 and 2002, she became CM with the support of BJP.
BSP under her leadership got full majority on its own in 2007 assembly elections. Before 2007 elections, Mayawati realized that she can't get a clear majority on her own unless she expands her vote base.
