High Voter Turnout Recorded In Bengal’s Falta Repoll; BJP Eyes Victory
High voter turnout marked Falta repoll amid intensified BJP electoral campaign.
Voters in West Bengal’s Falta assembly constituency turned out in large numbers on Thursday as the repoll recorded over 86.11 per cent polling till 5 pm amid tight security and heightened political attention following the withdrawal of the Trinamool Congress candidate from the contest. The repoll passed off peacefully under heavy deployment of central forces, with long queues visible outside polling booths throughout the day.
The Election Commission had ordered a repoll in Falta following allegations of irregularities during the original polling held on April 29. Complaints had surfaced from several booths claiming that perfume-like substances and adhesive tapes were applied to electronic voting machines. The repoll took place even as results for the remaining 293 assembly constituencies had already been declared on May 4, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a historic victory in the state.
The political significance of the repoll intensified after Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew from the contest two days before voting. The move dramatically altered the electoral landscape in the constituency and was widely interpreted as strengthening the BJP’s prospects in the seat. Officially, six candidates remained in the fray, including BJP nominee Debanshu Panda, Congress candidate Abdur Razzak and CPI(M) candidate Shambhu Kurmi.
Also Read: Falta Repoll on Thursday Under Tight Security and Webcasting Coverage
Reacting to the high turnout, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the atmosphere in Falta as festive and thanked voters for participating peacefully. BJP leaders projected confidence about securing the seat, with party workers claiming the repoll reflected a freer voting environment. Some voters also alleged that the atmosphere during the repoll felt markedly different compared to previous elections in the constituency.
Election officials said nearly 2.36 lakh voters were eligible to cast ballots, including over 1.21 lakh men, 1.15 lakh women and nine third-gender voters. Around 35 companies of central forces were deployed across 285 polling booths, while 30 Quick Response Teams remained on standby to prevent any untoward incidents. Poll officials stated that no major complaints or disturbances were reported during the voting process.
Beyond the immediate electoral contest, Falta has emerged as a politically significant constituency because it falls within the Diamond Harbour parliamentary region represented by Abhishek Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress. Recent political developments in the region, including the BJP’s gains and the controversy surrounding the Falta repoll, have fuelled speculation about changing political dynamics in an area long considered a stronghold of the ruling party.
Also Read: TMC's Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Race
