TMC candidate Jahangir Khan has withdrawn from the by-election for the Falta assembly seat in West Bengal ahead of the vote. Voting is scheduled for May 21st. The BJP is contesting the seat against Digbanshu Panda and the CPM’s Shambhu Kurmi. He also explained the reason for his withdrawal, citing personal reasons. In a post on Instagram, Jahangir Khan stated that he withdrew from the 2026 assembly by-election. “This decision is for the development and public interest of Falta, following the Chief Minister’s special package. I am completely dedicated to the progress of Falta. Jai Hind, Jai Falta.”
Speaking on the matter, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that he had no other option but to run away because he was unable to find a polling agent.
Jahangir Khan’s decision to withdraw from the re-election in Falta is his personal decision, not that of the party. Since the election results were announced on May 4th, over 100 of our party workers have been arrested in the Falta Assembly constituency alone. Several party offices were vandalized, closed, and forcibly occupied in broad daylight using intimidation. Despite this, the Election Commission (EC) turned a blind eye to this despite repeated complaints.
Despite so much pressure, our workers remain rock solid and continue to resist the intimidation being spread by the BJP through agencies and the administration. However, some eventually succumbed to this pressure and decided to withdraw from the electoral fray. We strongly condemn this. Our fight against the anti-Bengali BJP will continue, whether in West Bengal or Delhi.
BJP leader Dr. Subhash Sarkar said that they did this because they understood that public support was with the BJP. “Abhishek ji, if you have the courage, come and ensure TMC’s victory in Falta. This is a defeat for Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and corruption.”
On the other hand, Union Minister of State Majumdar said, “Many people try to imitate Pushpa. But this time Pushpa has failed. That’s why they all try to imitate Pushpa. This time Pushpa has failed. That’s why all these Pushpas and their bosses—there used to be pictures in Diamond Harbour with the words, ‘AB will not bow down.’ Now everyone is bowing down. AB’s agent has now bowed down. In the future, AB will also bow down. Don’t worry.”
Indeed, a case was filed against TMC candidate Jahangir Khan on charges of rigging. A petition was filed in the High Court regarding this. On Monday, the High Court stayed the FIR lodged against Jahangir Khan until May 26. The court issued this interim order.
This time, the BJP achieved success in West Bengal for the first time in the assembly elections. During this, Shubhendu Adhikari campaigned in Falta. Challenging Jahangir Khan during the campaign, Shubhendu Adhikari had said that the public will now defeat Pushpa. Jahangir Khan, while challenging UP IPS officer Ajaypal Sharma, had said that if he is Singham, then we are also Pushpa. Counting of votes for this assembly seat will take place on May 24.