TMC's 'Pushpa' Wilts? Controversies Surrounding Jahangir Khan As He Backs Out Of Falta Re-Poll
TMC's 'Pushpa' Wilts? Controversies Surrounding Jahangir Khan As He Backs Out Of Falta Re-Poll Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 19:38 IST Jahangir Khan
TMC's 'Pushpa' Wilts? Controversies Surrounding Jahangir Khan As He Backs Out Of Falta Re-Poll Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 19:38 IST Jahangir Khan, who called himself TMC's "Pushpa", unexpectedly withdrew his candidature from the May 21 re-election in the Falta Assembly constituency. Rapid Read TMC's Jahangir Khan abruptly pulled out of the Falta re-election. (File) Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan caused a stir in West Bengal’s changing political landscape after he unexpectedly withdrew his candidature from the re-election in the Falta Assembly constituency, scheduled for May 21. Khan, once a TMC strongman in Abhishek Banerjee’s stronghold of Diamond Harbour, said West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s promise of a special package for the area’s development prompted him to take the decision. The decision marked an unexpected turnaround for Jahangir Khan, who once called himself “Pushpa" and openly challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), before the saffron party swept the Bengal elections and ended Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year reign in the state. Who Is Jahangir Khan? While he began his political journey with the CPI(M, Jahangir Khan’s rise in the TMC was attributed to Abhishek Banerjee’s victory from Diamond Harbour in 2014 after the party toppled the Left from power.
Khan’s loyalty to the party and his organisational efforts prompted the TMC to appoint him as the president of the Falta Youth Trinamool Congress. Khan emerged as a significant face of the TMC in Falta and became a member of the Zila Parishad in 2023. However, his critics have accused him of intimidating voters in Falta. Khan was accused of coercing voters during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to give Abhishek Banerjee a massive boost in Diamond Harbour. ALSO READ: TMC Breaks Silence On Jahangir Khan Withdrawing Falta Re-Poll Candidature: ‘Workers Under Pressure’ Controversies Related To Jahangir Khan Face-Off With UP’s ‘Singham’ Khan came to the spotlight ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, when a confrontation with Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma made headlines. Sharma, described as an encounter specialist and “Singham", was seen visiting a residence linked to Khan on April 27 and sternly warning his family members against any attempts to intimidate threats. “Jahangir’s family members are standing here; tell him properly—we’re repeatedly getting reports that his people are issuing threats… Don’t end up crying and regretting later," Sharma was heard saying after reports of voter intimidation allegedly linked to Khan’s associates.
‘If He’s Singham, I’m Pushpa’ In response to Sharma’s threat, Jahangir Khan accused him of “illegal intimidation" and overstepping his constitutional mandate as a neutral observer to act as a “BJP agent", while invoking the Telugu blockbuster Pushpa. “We will not bow to him. This is Bengal; if he is ‘Singham’, I am ‘Pushpa’. No amount of threat or coercion by the BJP-appointed police officials from Uttar Pradesh will be allowed in Falta," he said last month. READ MORE: ‘He Ran Away’: Bengal CM Suvendu Mocks TMC’s Jahangir For Pulling Out Of Falta Repolling Falta Repolling The Election Commission ordered repolling in the Falta Assembly constituency on May 21 due to widespread allegations of electoral malpractice and “subversion of the democratic process". The BJP accused Jahangir Khan of masterminding electoral malpractice in the constituency. The BJP also accused that EVM buttons for voting in favour of the party were taped or blocked in booths within Falta, where Khan was contesting. This became a major political flashpoint during the high-stakes election. Khan Moves HC Against Coercive Action After the BJP stormed to power, Khan moved the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from any coercive action against him, alleging that criminal cases were being repeatedly filed against him.
His remarks came after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned that he would personally handle the case of “Pushpa". “He (Khan) is a designated most notorious criminal and I will personally handle his case. So-called Pushpa is my responsibility now," Adhikari told BJP workers on May 16. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also remarked that ‘Pushpa’ was a ‘phusss’ (flop) this time. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 19, 2026, 19:37 IST News india TMC's 'Pushpa' Wilts? Controversies Surrounding Jahangir Khan As He Backs Out Of Falta Re-Poll Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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