Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Jahangir Khan announced on Tuesday that he has decided not to contest the repoll in the Falta assembly constituency, alleging that West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari promised a special development package for the area if he stepped down.
Khan's Allegations
Speaking to reporters, Khan claimed that Adhikari approached him with an offer to withdraw his candidacy in exchange for a comprehensive development package for Falta. "The Chief Minister assured me that if I did not contest the repoll, the state government would announce a special package for the overall development of Falta. I agreed for the sake of the people of my constituency," Khan said. He added that the decision was made in the best interests of the region's residents.
Adhikari's Response
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, however, dismissed Khan's claims and offered a different account of events. "Jahangir Khan knew he would not get any polling agents during the repoll. He withdrew his candidacy and ran away because he was afraid of losing," Adhikari said. The Chief Minister further alleged that Khan's decision was a tactical retreat to avoid a humiliating defeat.
The repoll in Falta was ordered by the Election Commission following reports of irregularities during the initial voting. The bypoll had seen heated exchanges between the TMC and BJP, with both parties accusing each other of malpractice.
Political Reactions
The TMC, meanwhile, has distanced itself from Khan's statement, with party leaders stating that they were not consulted before his decision. A senior TMC functionary said, "Jahangir Khan took this decision on his own. We had no role in it." The BJP, on the other hand, has seized upon the controversy, accusing the TMC of striking a deal with the Chief Minister to avoid a contest. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, "This proves that the TMC and the BJP are hand in glove. The people of Falta have been betrayed."
The repoll is scheduled to take place on May 25, and the Election Commission has made arrangements for a free and fair election. With Khan's withdrawal, the contest now narrows down to the BJP candidate and other minor parties. The development package promised by the Chief Minister has not been officially confirmed yet.
