Falta votes again: ‘Return of democracy’ echoes as Jahangir’s grip collapses in Bengal repoll

The voters, largely from the Hindu community, queued up in huge numbers to cast their votes since morning after repolling was ordered following complaints of alleged EVM tampering during the original polling held on April 29.

‘Voting For The First Time In 15 Years’

Several voters alleged they were casting their votes for the first time in nearly 15 years, claiming they had earlier been prevented from exercising their franchise by local Trinamool Congress leaders.

Falta, once considered a Trinamool Congress stronghold, had reported allegations of EVM tampering last month, with accusations that tapes were pasted on voting machines to favour the then ruling party.

Jahangir Khan’s Exit Changes Political Equation

The Falta contest took a dramatic turn after controversial TMC candidate Jahangir Khan on Tuesday announced his withdrawal from the race, despite the official deadline for withdrawal having passed.

A close aide of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Jahangir said he was stepping aside in support of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s promise to make the constituency “prosperous”.

“I have always dreamt of a prosperous Falta. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is giving a special package for the constituency, so I have decided to withdraw from the repolling,” Jahangir said.

Social Media Mockery And ‘Pushpa’ References

Jahangir Khan’s decision triggered a meme fest online, with social media users mocking his earlier comparison of himself with Pushpa Raj, the popular fictional character portrayed by Allu Arjun in the Pushpa franchise.

Jahangir had previously called himself “Pushpa” after IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, often referred to as ‘UP’s Singham’, warned him against allegedly intimidating voters.

Opposition Targets ‘Diamond Harbour Model’

The withdrawal also prompted the Opposition to target the so-called “Diamond Harbour Model” projected by Abhishek Banerjee, who had earlier challenged the entire Union of India to defeat the TMC in the constituency.

Opposition leaders alleged that Banerjee remained absent from the repoll campaign while leaders from other political parties actively campaigned on the ground.

The Trinamool Congress, however, distanced itself from Jahangir Khan’s move, describing it as his “personal decision”.