NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party and Election Commission after fresh polling was announced in the Falta assembly constituency following reports of “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during the second phase of polling on April 29.Reacting to BJP leader Amit Malviya’s social media post on X, the TMC MP from Diamond Harbour challenged “Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang” to contest from Falta.”Ten lifetimes won’t be enough for your Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL. Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India–Come to Falta,” Banerjee wrote in a social media post on X.”Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve, contest in Falta,” he added.The poll body on Saturday announced A repoll in Falta on May 21, with counting on May 24.BJP’s co-incharge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, had alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during phase two of the assembly elections.Buttons were defaced with black masking tape and ink, affecting 60 of 285 polling stations — 21% of the constituency. These booths accounted for 53,967 voters (22.8% of the 2.36 lakh electorate).“This compromised the integrity of recorded votes and made it impossible to ascertain the mandate,” EC said, adding gaps in video footage meant similar tampering elsewhere in Falta could not be ruled out.This is first time in Bengal where a full assembly constituency will go to the polls after the declaration of results. In India, only Bihar had the precedence. EC said an inquiry into complaints found widespread tampering of EVMs at multiple booths.Meanwhile, tension flared in Hasimnagar, a locality within Falta along the Hooghly river corridor, where villagers alleged threats from associates of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan.Police observer Ajaypal Sharma, a DIG overseeing Diamond Harbour subdivision on the city’s southern fringe, rushed to the area as residents complained of inaction.Security was stepped up with deployment of state police and central forces. EC later ordered the arrest of two of Khan’s aides, Izrafil Chokdar and Sujauddin Sheikh. The countermanding removes Falta from Monday’s count, tightening focus on the remaining seats that will determine the next govt.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123Photostories10 beautiful and unique baby girl names with the letter “S”’The Devil Wears Prada 2′: Emily Blunt’s most iconic momentsMorning affirmation at 5 am: Affirmations that help you hear yourselfFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missing123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party and Election Commission after fresh polling was announced in the Falta assembly constituency following reports of “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during the second phase of polling on April 29.Reacting to BJP leader Amit Malviya’s social media post on X, the TMC MP from Diamond Harbour challenged “Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang” to contest from Falta.“Ten lifetimes won’t be enough for your Bangla Birodhi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my DIAMOND HARBOUR MODEL. Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India–Come to Falta,” Banerjee wrote in a social media post on X.“Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve, contest in Falta,” he added.The poll body on Saturday announced A repoll in Falta on May 21, with counting on May 24.BJP’s co-incharge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, had alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the party candidate at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency during phase two of the assembly elections.Buttons were defaced with black masking tape and ink, affecting 60 of 285 polling stations — 21% of the constituency. These booths accounted for 53,967 voters (22.8% of the 2.36 lakh electorate).“This compromised the integrity of recorded votes and made it impossible to ascertain the mandate,” EC said, adding gaps in video footage meant similar tampering elsewhere in Falta could not be ruled out.This is first time in Bengal where a full assembly constituency will go to the polls after the declaration of results. In India, only Bihar had the precedence. EC said an inquiry into complaints found widespread tampering of EVMs at multiple booths.Meanwhile, tension flared in Hasimnagar, a locality within Falta along the Hooghly river corridor, where villagers alleged threats from associates of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan.Police observer Ajaypal Sharma, a DIG overseeing Diamond Harbour subdivision on the city’s southern fringe, rushed to the area as residents complained of inaction.Security was stepped up with deployment of state police and central forces. EC later ordered the arrest of two of Khan’s aides, Izrafil Chokdar and Sujauddin Sheikh. The countermanding removes Falta from Monday’s count, tightening focus on the remaining seats that will determine the next govt.
