Ranchi, November 19 (IANS). Just a day before the voting on 38 seats in the second and last phase of Jharkhand Assembly elections on Wednesday, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hurled allegations against each other.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Central General Secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya held a press conference and accused the BJP of violating the model code of conduct during the silent period and assaulting BJP candidate Amar Bauri with his party workers in Chandankiyari.
On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party’s state spokesperson Pratul Shahdev also said in the press conference organized in the state office that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha workers are trying to create an atmosphere of terror in Barhet area. To divert attention from this, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is making baseless allegations against the opposition leader.
JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said that Wednesday is the voting day and there is a silent period now. But, even during this time, BJP is working to create confusion. Many videos are running on BJP’s social media platforms even during the silent period. This is a violation of the code of conduct. The JMM leader said that even I should not have held a press conference during the silent period, but in view of the actions of the BJP, he had to present his stand.
Bhattacharya said that a complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission regarding the violation of code of conduct by BJP. We have made many complaints to the Election Commission, but no action is being taken in this regard. BJP leaders are campaigning on social media, which is a disregard for the silent period. There is a demand from the Election Commission to register a criminal case under the IT Act. He alleged that BJP people have indulged in bullying in Chandankiyari. It seems that BJP is working in Jharkhand on the lines of Bengal.
The JMM leader asked, is the Model Code of Conduct only for us? Abuses are being made regarding tribal identity, but the Election Commission is silent. BJP candidates fight with their convoy in Chandankiyari. He claimed that people will vote against BJP in the elections.
BJP state spokesperson Pratul Shahdev hit back at the press conference of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and said that seeing their certain defeat, its leaders have started making excuses. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha led government will come to an end on 23 November. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha does not want the blame for this to fall on Hemant Soren. So, she is making excuses every day. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha workers are trying to create an atmosphere of terror in Barhet area. But, to divert attention from him, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader is making baseless allegations against the opposition.
He said that the Election Commission which Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is accusing today, he had won in 2019 in the elections held under the supervision of the same Commission and the State Police. This time, to make excuses for defeat, questions are being raised on this very Election Commission. The Election Commission has also taken cognizance of several cases against the Bharatiya Janata Party, but the Bharatiya Janata Party never complained and complied with those orders.
BJP spokesperson said that some officers continued to work as a toolkit in this government. When a District Magistrate was removed from election work by the Election Commission, he was made the District Magistrate of the capital. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has objection to this also. BJP always believes that officials should follow the rules and regulations, because governments keep coming and going. But, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha led government has tried to make the officials its agents.
–IANS
SNC/ABM
