"Emperor, Empress" Haven't Talked To A Single Lawmaker: Sajad Lone's Dig

Sajad Lone, one of the rival claimants to power in Jammu and Kashmir, today vehemently denied that there was any "horse trading" involved in his claim to majority. "Defection" he said, was not mentioned anywhere in the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and elected lawmakers were free to make up their own mind about whom they wished to support. "Horse trading where even money has changed hands" was one of the reasons cited by Governor Satya Pal Malik for dissolving the assembly yesterday minutes after he received claims of majority from Mr Lone and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.