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The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to give urgent hearing to the petition filed by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi challenging Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren for holding the coveted post without being the member of the State assembly. A vacation bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and Chandramouli Prasad said that there was no urgency in the matter and that it would be heard during the routine course. In his petition, Marandi has accused Soren of misusing the special provision under Article 164 (4) of the Constitution. Marandi alleged that it is the third time Soren has apparently misused the provisions. "As per provision of the said Section, Soren should become the member of the House within a span of 180 days, out of which he has stayed the CM for 140 days now," Marandi had earlier said. "The process of holding election takes 40-45 days but as Soren does not intend to become a member of the House, he is still holding the post. This is against constitutional norms," he added. Article 164 (4) enables an unelected person to become chief minister subject to the condition that he/she would get elected to the Assembly within six months.

Marandi appeals in vain to Supreme Court