TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdraws nomination from Falta two days before re-polling
While results for 293 seats in Bengal were announced on May 4, the Election Commission of India cancelled the election in the Falta Assembly constituency, citing “serious electoral violations and disruption of the democratic process.”
PTC News Desk: All India Trinamool Congress candidate and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s aide Jahangir Khan announced on Tuesday that he has withdrawn his nomination and will not contest Falta bypoll two days before repolling in the constituency.
With the BJP having swept the Assembly elections in Bengal, Falta, which is part of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency from where Abhishek is the incumbent MP, did not see the presence of any top Trinamool Congress leaders during the run-up to the repoll.
While results for 293 seats in Bengal were announced on May 4, the Election Commission of India cancelled the election in the Falta Assembly constituency, citing “serious electoral violations and disruption of the democratic process.” Reports from Falta alleged voter intimidation and tampering with EVMs, including complaints that opposition candidates’ names were blocked on some machines. Poor CCTV coverage also made it difficult to verify whether polling was conducted fairly.
The controversy intensified after Jahangir Khan publicly challenged IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, who had been appointed as a poll observer before the elections. Known for his tough policing style, Sharma is often nicknamed “Singham.” In response, Khan called himself “Pushpa,” saying, “If he is Singham, then I am Pushpa.” The remark came after Sharma reportedly visited Khan’s house before polling day and warned his family members against intimidating voters.
The absence of any major TMC leader during the repoll campaign also became a political talking point. BJP Bengal chief Samik Bhattacharya mocked the situation by asking where Abhishek Banerjee was during campaigning in Falta. Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari took a swipe at Jahangir Khan during campaign events, asking, “Where’s Pushpa?”
Later, while announcing his withdrawal from the race, Khan said at a press conference, “I am the son of Falta and I want Falta to remain peaceful and develop. Our CM Suvendu Adhikari is giving a special package for Falta’s development, which is why I am stepping away from the repoll.”
Before the May 4 results, Abhishek Banerjee had also issued a strong statement, saying that even in “ten lifetimes,” the “Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar” could not put “even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL.” He further said, “Bring everything you’ve got. I challenge the entire Union of India.”