Wednesday, March 9 2005 17:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Armed with a favourable Supreme Court order, the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) today (Mar 9, 2005) petitioned President A P J Abdul Kalam and urged him, among other things, to appoint an observer to keep an eye on the proceedings in the Jharkhand Assembly and provide police protection to all the MLAs till the process of trial of strength was completed.

In the "follow up meeting" after the parading of its MLAs before him on March 3, the NDA requested him to ensure that "no coercive or punitive action" be taken against any MLA by the State police till the vote of confidence is completed." The delegation was led by NDA convener George Fernandes.

Later, reacting to the Supreme Court verdict on Jharkhand, George Fernandes said, "Supreme Court has given us justice."

"We welcome the judgement and thank the Supreme Court for it," he told reporters emerging from a meeting with President A P J Abdul Kalam.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) vice-president Rajnath Singh said, "We welcome the judgement and it has been according to our wishes".

The Supreme Court today ordered floor test in the Assembly on March 11, instead of March 15, to determine who - UPA (United Progressive Alliance) nominee Shibu Soren or NDA's Arjun Munda - commands majority in the House.