Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, May 16: Political tensions have escalated in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency ahead of the upcoming re-election, with police arresting a senior Trinamool Congress functionary closely associated with party candidate Jahangir Khan.

According to police officials, Saidul Khan, vice-president of the Falta Panchayat Samiti, was taken into custody by officers from Falta police station on charges related to attempted murder and alleged involvement in political violence.

Police sources said multiple complaints had been pending against Saidul Khan for some time. Acting on those allegations, officers conducted a raid at his residence late Friday night before making the arrest. The Trinamool Congress has not yet issued any official statement regarding the development.

The arrest comes just days before the Election Commission-directed re-poll in the Falta Assembly constituency, scheduled for May 21. Counting of votes is expected to take place on May 24 amid a politically charged atmosphere in the state.

The political landscape in West Bengal has witnessed major changes following the BJP’s rise to power after defeating the Trinamool Congress government. Newly appointed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to hold an administrative review meeting in Diamond Harbour later on Saturday, followed by a campaign event in support of the BJP ahead of the Falta repoll.

Adhikari is also expected to participate in a roadshow in Falta on May 19, the final day of campaigning.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan made a public appearance in Falta on Friday after remaining largely out of sight for several days. He visited his party office in the Serampore area after leaving his residence in the morning.

The office had reportedly been vandalised by BJP workers after the party came to power in the state, with BJP flags allegedly placed on the premises.

Addressing reporters, Jahangir Khan accused the administration of targeting Trinamool leaders and workers through what he described as politically motivated cases.

“Since the BJP came to power, the administration has been framing Trinamool leaders and workers in false cases every day with the help of central forces. That is why I stayed away from public appearances to maintain peace in the area,” he claimed.

He also denied reports suggesting police had sent him back home, insisting that he had voluntarily stayed indoors to avoid unrest.
The Falta constituency had earlier drawn controversy during the Assembly elections when Jahangir Khan publicly criticised Election Commission-appointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma over alleged intimidation tactics.

A video that circulated widely on social media reportedly showed Sharma speaking sternly to local residents near Jahangir Khan’s residence in Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas district.

The Trinamool Congress alleged that Sharma conducted late-night searches, intimidated locals and behaved inappropriately with women during election monitoring activities. The party had also questioned the extent of his authority in visiting the residence of a political candidate and interacting directly with family members and residents.