TMC candidate withdraws nomination for West Bengal's Falta re-poll

Days before the re-polls, Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan from West Bengal's Falta on Tuesday withdrew his nomination. TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said the party has received information about Khan's decision, but is yet to get clarity on what prompted 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.” The poll body took an extraordinary step of canceling the entire voting process in Falta across all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary booths. In its statement, the Commission explained that the decision followed reports of severe electoral offences and large-scale subversion of the democratic process during the voting on April 29. The repolling in Falta seat is scheduled to take place on May 21. The counting of votes will be held on the 24th of May. Observer reports highlighted serious irregularities, including tampering with electronic voting machines, intimidation of voters, and violations of polling rules. In several booths, ballot unit buttons were deliberately covered with black tape, preventing proper voting. Unauthorised individuals were also found entering polling stations and casting votes on behalf of others. Missing or inconsistent video footage further raised concerns about transparency. Earlier, West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari took direct aim at Jahangir, who had compared himself to blockbuster film Pushpa's smuggler-turned-strongman. While 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 death threats. In the 2026 assembly elections, BJP secured 207 seats to end the party’s 15-year rule in the state. Meanwhile, TMC managed to win only 80 seats.