TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew his nomination for the Falta re-poll in West Bengal, scheduled for May 21. The Election Commission had previously canceled the original polls due to severe electoral offenses.
Phase 2 of high-stakes West Bengal assembly elections witnessed violence and allegations of voter intimidation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed BJP observers were interfering in voting and party flags were removed. A BJP polling agent was assaulted in Chapra, a BJP camp office was vandalised in Shantipur, and an ISF agent was prevented from entering a polling booth in Bhangar. Voting was delayed at a booth in Nimta. The Chief Electoral Officer has sought reports from officials.
Second phase of West Bengal assembly elections witnessed violence and vandalism with allegations of voter intimidation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused BJP observers of interfering in polling in her Bhabanipur constituency, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. A BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted in Chapra, a BJP camp office was vandalised in Shantipur, and voting was delayed in Nimtala. Police issued warnings to Mamata's brother Kartik Banerjee and TMC workers for gathering near a polling booth.
IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, appointed as police observer by Election Commission, has been conducting visits with large CRPF contingents in South 24 Parganas' Falta Constituency since Tuesday to identify and deter those intimidating voters. TMC candidate Jahangir Khan has publicly challenged Sharma, comparing himself to the character Pushpa while calling Sharma "Singham". Trinamool Congress workers protested Sharma's village visits, with Khan alleging the officer is intimidating his party workers and leaders.
Uttar Pradesh IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, deployed as police observer in South 24 Parganas, issued a stern warning against alleged voter intimidation in West Bengal's Falta Assembly constituency. Acting on complaints, Sharma led a joint operation with SSB and Quick Reaction Teams, warning the family of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan, who faces accusations of threatening voters. The officer also found irregularities in Khan's security deployment, with 14 policemen instead of the entitled 10. The incident has sparked sharp political exchanges between BJP and TMC leaders.
UP IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, serving as a police observer in West Bengal, has issued a stern warning against voter intimidation in the Falta constituency. The move has sparked political controversy, with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP of deploying partisan agents.
A political storm erupted in Gujarat as BJP MP Mitesh Patel allegedly threatened to withhold development grants from Anklav if voters elect Congress nominees. The opposition has filed a complaint with the State Election Commission, accusing the MP of voter intimidation and violating the Model Code of Conduct. The remarks were made during campaign rallies for upcoming local body polls.
