No crime in aligning with BJP: Sajjad Gani Lone

Sajjad Gani Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, on Friday said that he staked claim to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir as he had the support of the required number of legislators. Lone said that siding with the BJP is not a crime and is good for the state, even as he clarified that his partyís stance on Articles 370 and 35A would not be compromised at any cost. "If aligning with BJP is a crime, then it is Omar Abdullah who first committed this crime. He was once the poster boy of the National Democratic Alliance. Madam Sahiba (Mehbooba Mufti) was also in power with them for three years. But when we do it, it's wrong," said Lone, the chairman of Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference. Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly late on Wednesday, leading to PDP and NC criticising the move. Lone, in a fresh salvo, dared that the foes-turned-friends can move the court if they are unhappy with the governor's decision.