West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on May 19, launched a sharp attack on TMC leader Jahangir Khan after the latter announced his withdrawal from the upcoming repoll in the Falta Assembly constituency. Adhikari claimed Khan “ran away” from the electoral contest as he failed to secure polling agents ahead of the May 21 re-election.
The political confrontation comes amid heightened tensions in West Bengal following the Election Commission’s decision to order a complete repoll in the Falta Assembly constituency over allegations of large-scale electoral malpractice and disruption of the democratic process.
Addressing a public gathering in South 24 Parganas district while campaigning for the repoll, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari mocked the Trinamool Congress leader’s decision to withdraw from the contest.
“He had no other way, as he would not get a polling agent, so he decided to run away,” Adhikari said while addressing party workers and supporters in Falta.
VIDEO | Falta, West Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdrawing from the May 21 re-election in Falta, says, “He had no other way, as he would not get a polling agent, so he decided to run away.”
TMC candidate Jahangir Khan… pic.twitter.com/S1Dy5sBhi4— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 19, 2026
The BJP leader further claimed that the people of Falta had already rejected the Trinamool Congress and that the withdrawal reflected the party’s weakening position in the constituency.
Earlier in the day, Jahangir Khan formally announced that he was pulling out of the May 21 repoll. Addressing a press conference, Khan said his decision was influenced by the development plans being announced by the new BJP-led state government under Suvendu Adhikari.
“My dream was to see this place prosper. New CM Suvendu Adhikari is rolling out new packages for Falta. Seeing this, I am withdrawing my candidature from the upcoming repoll,” Khan stated.
VIDEO | South 24 Parganas: Addressing a press conference, TMC leader Jahangir Khan said,
“I am the son of Falta and I want Falta to be at peace and grow. Our CM Suvendu Adhikari is giving a special package for the development of Falta, which is why I am separating myself from… pic.twitter.com/R95Lw7DpHo
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 19, 2026
His remarks immediately triggered political debate, with opposition parties questioning the circumstances behind the withdrawal.
The All India Trinamool Congress later clarified that Jahangir Khan’s decision to withdraw was purely personal and did not reflect the official stand of the party.
In a statement posted on X, the party alleged that more than 100 TMC workers had been arrested in Falta after the election results earlier this month. The party also accused BJP workers of intimidation, political violence, and forcibly taking control of several TMC offices in the region.
“Even in the face of such pressure, our workers remain rock-solid and continue to resist the BJP’s intimidation,” the party said.
Why Election Commission ordered Falta Repoll?
The repoll in Falta was ordered by the Election Commission of India after the April 29 election was declared void due to serious allegations of electoral malpractice.
According to the Commission, complaints included tampering with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) buttons, disruption during polling, and attempts to subvert the democratic process. Invoking Section 58(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission directed fresh voting in all 285 polling booths of the constituency.
The fresh election is scheduled to take place on May 21, while counting of votes for the constituency will be conducted separately on May 24.
