TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdraws from Falta repoll 2 days ahead of voting

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan from West Bengal’s Falta constituency on Tuesday withdrew his nomination just two days before the re-polls.TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said the party had received information about Khan’s decision, but was yet to ascertain the reason behind it.“We have heard that Jahangir Khan has decided not to contest or participate in the Falta repoll,” he told reporters.“We are still not aware of the reason behind his withdrawal,” he added.This comes after the Election Commission scrapped the polls in Falta assembly constituency, citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process.”In its statement, the poll body said the decision followed reports of severe electoral offences and large-scale subversion of the democratic process during voting on April 29.Observer reports highlighted serious irregularities, including tampering with electronic voting machines, voter intimidation, and violations of polling rules.In several booths, ballot unit buttons were allegedly covered with black tape, preventing proper voting. Unauthorised individuals were also reportedly found entering polling stations and casting votes on behalf of others. Missing or inconsistent video footage further raised concerns over transparency.Repolling in the Falta seat is scheduled for May 21, while the counting of votes will take place on May 24.Earlier, West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari took direct aim at Jahangir, who had compared himself to the smuggler-turned-strongman character from the film “Pushpa: The Rise.”Addressing a rally in Diamond Harbour, Adhikari said, “Where is that Pushpa — the dacoit? He is not seen anywhere now. The National Human Rights Commission declared 19 persons as notorious criminals in 2021. Jahangir was one of them. Leave him to me. I will take care of him.”Ahead of the rally, police arrested Saidul Khan, a close aide of Jahangir and Trinamool’s Falta vice-president, on multiple charges including issuing death threats.In the 2026 assembly elections, BJP secured 207 seats, ending TMC’s 15-year rule in the state. While, TMC managed to win 80 seats only.