Mamata’s last bastion in West Bengal collapses, BJP wins historic victory in Falta by one lakh votes
Kolkata, May 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a landslide victory in the Falta assembly seat in West Bengal, demolishing the Trinamool Congress’s stronghold. BJP candidate Debasish Panda won by a huge margin of over 100,000 votes. This result is being seen as a sign of a major shift in the state’s politics.
Following the election results, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched a scathing attack on the party, calling it “the beginning of the Trinamool Congress’s downfall.” He said that the people of Falta had restored democracy after years by conducting free and fair elections.
The most talked-about issue during the by-election was Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, who had announced his withdrawal from the contest two days before the vote. After this, the BJP’s victory was considered almost certain.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had set a target of ensuring a victory for the BJP candidate by 100,000 votes on the final day of campaigning. By 18 rounds of counting, the BJP candidate was leading by approximately 92,000 votes, with the final margin reaching over 108,000.
Most shockingly, in the last Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress had secured a lead of approximately 170,000 votes in this constituency, but in this by-election, the party candidate received only around 5,500 votes.
During voting, no Trinamool Congress agent was present at many polling booths. The party’s presence at the counting center was also extremely weak.
In this by-election, Left Front-supported candidate Shambhunath Kurmi attracted attention by securing approximately 37,000 votes, while Congress candidate Abdur Razzaq Molla received approximately 9,500 votes.
Political analysts believe that the weakening of the Trinamool Congress could open up new possibilities for opposition politics in the state.
Consequently, the by-election was marked by considerable controversy. During the assembly elections, allegations of irregularities, including the use of perfume, ink, and tape in EVMs at several booths, surfaced. Following this, the Election Commission decided to cancel the elections and conduct a re-poll.
Meanwhile, reports of tension between Jahangir Khan and senior Uttar Pradesh police officer Ajaypal Sharma also dominated political circles.
Following the change of power in the state, the Trinamool Congress’s organizational activities in Falta virtually ceased. The BJP made the long-standing inability to vote and allegations of a “threat culture” among locals an election issue.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held several public meetings and road shows, drawing large crowds. He also announced a special development package for Falta, which had a visible impact on voters.
Following the election results, Suvendu Adhikari released a lengthy message on social media, saying that the people of Falta have re-established democracy. “I salute the voters here, who made the BJP candidate win by a margin of over one lakh votes. We will repay this trust through development.”
He accused the Trinamool Congress of misusing government machinery, practicing syndicate rule, and practicing the politics of fear. Without naming Jahangir Khan, he said, “A so-called commander has left no stone unturned to strangle democracy.”
The Chief Minister claimed that “after 15 years, the people have had the opportunity to vote freely, and the true public opinion has emerged.”
Political circles are viewing this victory as a sign of West Bengal’s changing political landscape. The BJP is presenting it as a massive mandate, while the Trinamool Congress faces an increased challenge in maintaining its organizational hold.
It is noteworthy that the area where the TMC suffered this crushing defeat falls under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat, from where Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is the Trinamool Congress’s national general secretary and a Lok Sabha MP.
