In a surprising turn of events, Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, a close aide of Abhishek Banerjee, has pulled out of the race for the Falta Assembly constituency repoll, announcing he will not contest any further elections. The decision comes just two days before voting is scheduled.
Khan, who had earlier adopted a defiant posture during the election process, offered no explanation for his withdrawal. The development marks a shift from his earlier bold stance, encapsulated in the phrase “Pushpa jhukega nahi” (Pushpa will not bow), which has now given way to what observers are calling “Pushpa jhuk gaya.”
Falta, located within the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat represented by Abhishek Banerjee, saw limited visible campaigning by senior Trinamool Congress leaders ahead of the repoll. This absence drew sharp criticism from opposition figures. BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya questioned Abhishek Banerjee’s whereabouts during the campaign period in Falta. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari taunted Khan directly, asking “Where’s Pushpa?” during his own campaign appearances over the weekend.
The backstory involves a public challenge issued by Khan to IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, who was appointed as a poll observer. After Sharma visited Khan’s residence to caution family members against voter intimidation on polling day, Khan responded by saying, “If he is Singham, then I am Pushpa.”
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The Election Commission of India had nullified the original polling results in Falta, citing severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process. Reports highlighted instances of voter intimidation, alleged EVM tampering—including blocking names of opposition candidates—and insufficient CCTV coverage, which prevented proper verification of the polling integrity. Results for the other 293 seats in the state were declared on May 4.
When asked about the lack of Trinamool Congress campaigning, West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh remarked that the party had historically relied not on public outreach but on the influence of antisocial elements to control voting in the area. He suggested that with such tactics no longer feasible and police support absent, there was little ground left for active campaigning.
Khan’s abrupt exit adds another layer of uncertainty to the repoll in this traditionally strong Trinamool Congress bastion. The developments underscore the heightened tensions and shifting dynamics in the constituency ahead of the May 21 voting.
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