Jammu and Kashmir: Governor dissolves assembly

In a dramatic development, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was dissolved by Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday night after three mainstream parties --Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference, came together to stake claim to form a government that was countered by Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone with the BJP's backing. The governor made a terse announcement saying he was exercising powers conferred on him by the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution and dissolving the House which had two more years to go.