More than 200 people from the Yadav community in the United States met in North Brunswick, New Jersey, to launch the Yadav Mahasabha USA.

The Yadavs, believed to be the descendants of Lord Krishna, are India's second largest group, representing around 20 percent of the overall population.

"So many people belonging to the Yadav community live in the US. We don't have an exact number. This is an attempt to bring them together under one umbrella organisation," said Rajeev Yadav, the newly elected general secretary of the organisation.

Virender Yadav, a New York businessman, was elected president; O P Yadav, a New Jersey entrepreneur and businessman, was elected vice president.

Retired Colonel M L Yadav, a community activist associated with the All India Yadav Mahasabha from India, was an observer to the event.

The organisation in the US will work independently, though it will cooperate with the Yadav Mahasabha in India, Rajeev Yadav said.

Those who attended the meeting said they were surprised to see so many own clan members under one roof for the first time.