Abhishek Banerjee aide Jahangir Khan exits Falta repoll race just two days before voting
The Statesman | 19 May 2026
In a shocking political development just two days before the repolling in West Bengal’s high-profile Falta Assembly constituency, TMC candidate Jahangir Khan on Tuesday announced that he is withdrawing from the May 21 poll, citing a special package announced by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for the constituency.
“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 the re-polling of the constituency,” Khan said while addressing a press conference.
When asked whether the TMC enforced the decision to pull out, Khan maintained that his decision was aimed at ensuring peace and development in Falta.
“I have answered many questions before,” he said, adding, “Today, what I had to say was that I have withdrawn from this contest. For the sake of the people of Falta, for the sake of Falta’s development, for the sake of maintaining peace in Falta.”
Falta is an assembly segment under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
The Election Commission of India had scrapped the Falta poll and announced fresh elections, citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during the polling held on April 29.
Falta went to the polls in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. On the voting day, the BJP had alleged that its symbol on EVM machines in several booths was covered with tape and demanded repolling.
The ECI was swift to act on the ruling party’s complaint and announced repolling in the constituency on May 2.
After this, Abhishek Banerjee dared the BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to contest the Falta bypoll.
In response to BJP leader Amit Malviya’s “Diamond Harbour Model Crumbled” remark, Banerjee said that “ten lifetimes won’t be enough for your Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL.”
“Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India–Come to Falta. Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve, contest in Falta,” he had challenged.