The Trinamool Congress faced a major setback ahead of the Falta re-poll after its candidate, Jahangir Khan, on Tuesday decided to quit the race days before voting, leaving the high-profile contest in South 24 Parganas district wide open.
Khan, considered a controversial close aide of Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, said he was “withdrawing” his candidature as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had promised a “special package” for the constituency.
According to the polling rules, Khan cannot withdraw his candidature, as the deadline for withdrawing nomination has passed. A fresh election for the Falta constituency is scheduled for May 21 after the Assembly poll for this seat was cancelled on April 29 over allegations of widespread malpractices.
Addressing a media conference on Tuesday, Khan said, “Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a special package for the development of Falta. In the interest of Falta’s development and peace, I am withdrawing from this election.”
The withdrawal came days after the Trinamool Congress leadership reportedly distanced itself from Khan’s campaign, while Adhikari actively canvassed for BJP candidate Debangshu Panda.
Notably, Falta is an Assembly segment under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by Abhishek Banerjee. On Monday, the Calcutta High Court directed that no coercive steps will be taken against Khan in pending FIRs registered against him until May 26. The court was hearing a plea moved by the Trinamool Congress leader, seeking disclosure of all FIRs registered against him and protection from coercive action ahead of the re-poll.
As the official deadline for withdrawal of candidature or nominations has passed, the name and party symbol of the Trinamool Congress candidate will remain on the EVM even if Khan does not contest.
The Trinamool Congress, in a statement, said Khan’s decision was his own and not that of the party.
“Since the election results were declared on May 4, more than 100 of our party workers have been arrested in Falta AC alone. Several party offices have been vandalised, shut down, and forcibly captured in broad daylight through intimidation, while the Election Commission continues to turn a blind eye despite repeated complaints, the TMC said, adding even in the face of such pressure, party workers remained rock-solid and continued to resist the BJP’s intimidation unleashed through agencies and the administration.
“However, some eventually succumbed to the pressure and chose to step away from the field. We strongly condemn this. Our fight against the ‘Bangla Birodhi (anti-Bengal)’ BJP will continue, both in West Bengal and in Delhi,” the statement added.
Published on May 19, 2026