Any two or more citizens of the State may, within the time prescribed by section 1:7-1 of this Title, present to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court an application, such as is authorized by said section 1:7-1 to be presented by the Attorney-General, and the court shall proceed thereon in the manner provided by sections 1:7-2 and 1:7-3 of this Title. The applicants may prosecute the application, and the Attorney-General may, if required so to do by the Governor, defend on behalf of the State.
N.J.S. § 1:7-4