Jahangir

Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan has withdrawn his nomination for the Falta re-poll, days before voting. The Election Commission had previously scrapped the original polls due to severe electoral offenses and subversion of the democratic process. Observer reports highlighted significant irregularities, including EVM tampering and voter intimidation. This development follows criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

Falta, which falls within Abhishek Banerjee’s bastion of Diamond Harbour, reflected the intense on-ground political heat during the West Bengal Assembly polls. Apart from authorities finding attempts to tamper with footage captured by web cameras installed at several polling stations, allegations of EVM manipulation were reported at a Falta booth, eventually prompting the Election Commission to order repolling.

Trinamool Congress's Falta candidate, Jahangir Khan, announced he would not contest the May 21 repoll, citing the need for Falta's peace and development. This decision came after widespread electoral malpractice led to the repoll. The TMC stated Khan's withdrawal was a personal choice, while the BJP dismissed it as a tactic due to lack of support.

Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew from Falta's re-poll, citing a "special package" for the area's development. The TMC, however, stated his decision was personal, alleging pressure and intimidation against their workers by the BJP. The Election Commission ordered re-polling due to "severe electoral offences" and subversion of the democratic process.

BJP's Debangshu Panda secured a decisive victory in the Falta repoll, winning by over a lakh votes. The Election Commission ordered the repoll due to "severe electoral offences" during the initial April 29 polling. This high-stakes seat for TMC saw their candidate finish a distant fourth after withdrawing from campaigning but remaining on the ballot.

BJP secured a massive victory in Falta, winning by over a lakh votes, marking its highest margin in the 2026 assembly elections. The Trinamool Congress suffered a significant defeat, coming in fourth, while the CPM emerged as a distant second. This outcome suggests a notable shift in minority votes towards the CPM and Congress.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari targeted Trinamool's Jahangir Khan in Falta, a stronghold of Abhishek Banerjee, vowing to deal with the MLA accused of criminal activities. Adhikari also pledged to investigate alleged corruption, including the "Leaps and Bounds" company, and assured action against those siphoning funds from central schemes.

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