Grand PDP-NC-Cong alliance was to keep me out of power: Sajad Lone

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was abruptly dissolved by the Governor Wednesday night, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival NC and Congress

Hitting out at the PDP, the Congress and the National Conference, People's Conference chief Sajad Lone Friday said their efforts to form a grand alliance was aimed at keeping a "third front" led by his party out of power.

The PDP and the National Conference considered Jammu and Kashmir their fiefdom and would never allow any other group to emerge, Lone told reporters with PDP 'defector' Imran Ansari by his side.

"I have been questioned for tying up with BJP. It's not a crime. The process of joining the BJP bandwagon started with Omar Abdullah, who was a poster boy for Vajpayee government.

"What about Mehbooba ji, she was in power for last three years with the help of BJP only," he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly was abruptly dissolved by the Governor Wednesday night, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference and the Congress. This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties.

Lone, who had sent his letter staking claim through a WhatsApp message from midair, challenged the PDP chief to prove her majority on the floor of the house.

"Has anyone read her letter. I challenge her to take that letter to any lawyer and get relief from court.

"I would have proven my majority if given a chance," he said.