BJP, BJD alliance collapse

India's main opposition alliance suffered a set back with a powerful eastern regional ally saying that seat-sharing talks failed on Saturday. The BJP's envoy Chandan Mitra refused to talk to reporters while BJD leader and state chief Naveen Patnaik confirmed that the talks have failed. India will hold a general election between April 16 and May 13, a mammoth process in which 714 million people will be able to cast their votes.