Monday, March 7 2005 14:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda today (Mar 7, 2005) challenged in the Supreme Court, Governor Syed Sibtey Razi's decision to appoint Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren as the Chief Minister of the State, saying the appointment was "unconstitutional" and "without authority of law."

The Court listed the petition for hearing on Wednesday (Mar 9, 2005).

Munda also sought a direction from the Court to the Governor to appoint him as the Chief Minister of the State, as he claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had a clear majority in the 81-member House.

In the alternative, the petitioner said that the Court should direct the Governor to hold the Session of the Assembly on March 11 to prevent "horse-trading".

He also requested the Court to appoint a judge as an observer to supervise the proceedings in the House on that day, so that it was totally "transparent, peaceful, voluntary, without any disturbance or coercion".

Munda sought a direction to the Jharkhand Government not to take coercive police actions against any MLA till the trial of strength in the floor of the House.