Withdrawing from repoll as CM promised special package for Falta: TMC's Jahangir Khan

Jahangir Khan, the TMC's Falta candidate, has withdrawn from the May 21 re-election, citing Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's promise of a special development package for the area.

TMC's Falta candidate Jahangir Khan on Tuesday announced he was withdrawing from the May 21 re-election in the assembly segment, stating that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's promise of a special package for the area's development prompted him to take the decision.

Addressing a press conference, Khan said he took the decision keeping Falta's interests in mind.

''I am the son of Falta, and I want the area to be at peace and grow,'' he said.

''The CM has announced a special package for the development of Falta, which is why I have decided to move away from the re-polling process in the constituency,'' he added.

TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said the party has received information about Khan's decision, but is yet to get clarity on what prompted it.

''We have heard that Jahangir Khan has decided not to contest or participate in the Falta repoll. We are still not aware of the reason behind his withdrawal,'' he said.

The CM claimed the Khan ''ran away'' from the re-election as he would not get any polling agents.

''He had no other way, as he won't get a polling agent, so he decided to run away,'' Adhikari told reporters on the sidelines of his campaign in Falta in South 24 Parganas.

Re-election was ordered in the Falta assembly segment, where polling was held in the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections on April 29, following allegations of large-scale electoral malpractices.