The JMM on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that the Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar’s withdrawal last week of the controversial draft amendment to the Indian Forest Act was a violation of the model code of conduct for the Jharkhand elections.

“There was a nationwide protest against the draft amendments including in Jharkhand where the JMM had led a massive public protest because the move was detrimental to the interests of tribals,” The JMM’s Vinod Pandey said at a news meet after meeting chief election commissioner Sunil Arora here. “The BJP out of nervousness withdrew it (the amendment). As per the model code of conduct the government can’t take a policy decision. Javadekar also held a press conference in Ranchi... and appealed people to vote for the BJP. Right from Centre to state, their ministers and leaders are violating the model code of conduct,” he added.

Pandey said the government has invited applications for 47 posts at central government undertaking Hindustan Copper Limited in East Singhbhum. “The advertisement was issued on November 16, a fortnight after the election schedule was announced. The BJP is trying to lure young voters with so-called job opportunities,” he said.

The JMM alleged that the BJP is even taking credit for the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Ram temple.

“This is not only contempt of the court, the BJP is also creating communal polarisation. The media cell of the BJP has been regularly posting content to influence the election. The BJP is spreading hatred against our party chief, Shibu Soren. BJP leaders and workers are running several social media pages where derogatory comments were made against him,” Pandey said.