'Decided not to contest repoll as CM Suvendu promised special package to develop Falta': TMC's Jahangir Khan

The Trinamool Congress candidate from the Falta seat, Jahangir Khan, which is set to see repolling on May 21 has withdrawn his candidacy, party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said.

Khan said that he decided not to contest re-election as CM Suvendu Adhikari has promised special package for Falta's development, PTI reported him as saying.

"We have heard that Jahangir Khan has decided not to contest or participate in the Falta repoll," he told reporters.

"We are still not aware of the reason behind his withdrawal," he added. A purported video has gone viral on social media where Khan has reportedly said he will be pulling out of the re-election, but it has not been verified.

CM Suvendu Adhikari later claimed that Khan withdrew his candidacy and "ran away" from the re-election as he knew he would not get any polling agents.

"Where is self-styled Pushpa? He had no other way, as he won't get a polling agent, so he decided to run away," Adhikari said while campaigning in Falta.

The remark was loaded with political subtext. Throughout the campaign, Khan had consciously borrowed from the swagger of the blockbuster film character Pushpa and built a combative political persona around the iconic line: "Pushpa jhukega nahi" (Pushpa never bends).

Adhikari held a road show in the constituency in South 24 Parganas on the final day of campaigning. He began the road show after offering 'puja' and performing 'arati' at a temple, with chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' filling the air as BJP supporters gathered in large numbers.

Re-election was ordered in the Falta assembly segment following allegations of large-scale electoral malpractices.

(With PTI inputs)