New political alliance in India

One of India's most controversial politicians, Laloo Prasad Yadav, has announced that he has set up a new coalition of parties to counter the powerful right-wing Hindu nationalist party, the BJP.

He said the alliance would encouarge religious tolerance and work to abolish poverty.

The new coalition, the People's Front Jan Morcha, will include Mr Yadav's own regional party and a collection of other groups with regional or caste-based suport.

The once-dominant Congress Party decided not to join.

Mr Yadav was formerly Chief Minister of the state of Bihar but was forced to stand down after being charged with embezzling millions of dollars of state funds.

He is currently on bail.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service