TMC's Jahangir Khan Withdraws From Falta Repoll Race

Fresh polling began in the Falta Assembly constituency on Thursday after the Election Commission ordered a complete repoll across all 285 polling stations following allegations of widespread electoral malpractices during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections held on April 29. Authorities initiated the repoll exercise under heightened security arrangements as voters returned to polling booths amid intense political scrutiny and renewed campaigning by major parties in the state.

Election officials said more than 2.36 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the constituency, including over 1.15 lakh women voters and nine voters belonging to the third gender category. The repoll was ordered after complaints related to irregularities and alleged violations surfaced during the earlier voting process. Officials stated that extensive administrative and security measures have been implemented to ensure peaceful polling and maintain voter confidence throughout the re-election exercise.

The Falta constituency continues to witness a high-profile political contest involving candidates from the Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI(M), and Congress. Although Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir “Pushpa” Khan announced his withdrawal from the race earlier this week, his name remained on the Electronic Voting Machines because the official withdrawal deadline had already passed. Other prominent candidates in the contest include BJP nominee Debangshu Panda, CPI(M)’s Sambhu Nath Kurmi, and Congress candidate Abdur Razzak Molla.

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Khan stated that he decided to step aside after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari allegedly assured a special development package for the Falta region. According to Khan, his decision was made in the interest of development and maintaining peace in the constituency. His remarks quickly became a major talking point in West Bengal politics, particularly because he had emerged as a controversial and widely discussed figure during the election campaign period.

Jahangir Khan had previously drawn national attention after a public confrontation with Ajay Pal Sharma, a Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer appointed as a special election observer in South 24 Parganas ahead of the polls. The confrontation, linked to allegations of electoral misconduct, had intensified political tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP during the second phase of the elections. Khan had also adopted the nickname “Pushpa,” inspired by the popular film character portrayed by actor Allu Arjun, which became a recurring theme in political exchanges between rival parties.

Following Khan’s withdrawal announcement, BJP leaders launched fresh attacks on the Trinamool Congress leadership. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar mocked Khan and indirectly targeted senior Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee, while Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari claimed Khan stepped back because he would struggle to secure polling agents. As voting continued across Falta, political observers closely monitored turnout patterns and voter response in a constituency that has become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.

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