Kolkata: The political contest in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly bypoll has taken a dramatic turn after Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, popularly referred to as “Pushpa” in the campaign, announced his withdrawal from the race just days before polling.
The bypoll is scheduled for May 21, 2026. However, despite Khan stepping back from the contest, his name will continue to appear on the Electronic Voting Machine. The reason is procedural. The deadline for making changes to the candidate list had already passed before his withdrawal, which means the Election Commission cannot remove his name from the EVM at this stage.
Khan’s decision has triggered a sharp political exchange between the ruling BJP in Bengal and the Trinamool Congress. The development came soon after his “I am Pushpa” remark had drawn attention in the heated campaign. His sudden exit has now added another layer of suspense to an already high voltage electoral battle.
Bengal Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari attacked the TMC over the withdrawal, claiming that Khan had stepped aside because he knew defeat was certain. During a roadshow in Falta, Adhikari urged voters to support BJP candidate Debangshu Panda with a massive margin and said the result should reduce the TMC’s presence in the constituency to zero.
The TMC, however, has suggested that Khan’s withdrawal was not a simple political decision and alleged that he had come under pressure. The party’s reaction indicates that it may use the issue to question the fairness of the political atmosphere around the bypoll.
Falta holds political significance because it falls within the broader Diamond Harbour region, a stronghold closely associated with senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. That is why the bypoll is being watched not merely as a local contest, but as a test of political control and prestige.
With Khan’s name still on the EVM, voters may face an unusual situation. Although he is no longer actively contesting, his name will remain visible on the ballot unit, which could influence voting calculations on polling day.
The Falta bypoll has now become more than a routine electoral exercise. It has turned into a contest of perception, pressure and political messaging, with both the BJP and TMC trying to shape the final narrative before voters enter the polling booth.