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Falta Election Results Live Updates: 'Democracy has won and intimidation has lost,' says PM Modi on BJP's massive win

THE TIMES OF INDIA | May 24, 2026, 22:52:36 IST

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Falta Election Results Live Updates: 'Democracy has won and intimidation has lost,' says PM Modi on BJP's massive win

Counting of votes for the repoll in the 144-Falta Assembly constituency began on Sunday at Diamond Harbour Women's University amid heavy security deployment. The Election Commission had ordered fresh polling in the constituency after reports of electoral irregularities during the West Bengal Assembly elections. Repolling was conducted on May 21 under strict supervision, while BJP candidate Debangshu Panda claimed the process remained peaceful and expressed confidence in his party’s victory. The BJP recently formed its first government in the state after winning 207 seats, with Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as Chief Minister. Stay With TOI For Latest Updates.

22:10 (IST) May 24

People of Falta have spoken! Democracy has won and intimidation has lost: PM Modi

"Congratulations to Shri Debangshu Panda Ji for winning in Falta by a record margin. It indicates the unwavering faith of the people of West Bengal towards the BJP. People are seeing the exceptional work of the West Bengal Government across sectors and thus have decided to further bless us. My compliments to all BJP Karyakartas across West Bengal for their outstanding work. We will keep working for West Bengal’s progress in the times to come," he said on X.

18:21 (IST) May 24

BJP’s ‘cherry on the cake’: Falta repoll win reinforces saffron surge in West Bengal

With this victory, the BJP’s tally in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly returns to 207 seats. The party had originally won 207 seats as well, but Suvendu Adhikari — now the state’s first BJP chief minister — vacated his Nandigram seat and retained Bhabanipore, where he had defeated Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, his predecessor as chief minister.The Falta victory will be the cherry on the cake for the BJP.

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18:06 (IST) May 24

'People voted freely for first time': BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato on Falta repoll

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato claimed that voters in West Bengal were able to cast their votes freely for the first time during the Falta Assembly constituency repoll.

“This time, people have voted freely for the first time... After some time, the results will be out. Wait for some time...” Mahato told ANI amid the counting of votes.

He further alleged that democratic processes had been absent in the state over the past decade. “Today democracy has returned to West Bengal under the leadership of CM Suvendu Adhikari... You can ask anyone about the situation here in the last ten years. There were no elections as people were not allowed to vote. This was their Diamond model,” he said.

17:43 (IST) May 24

Falta repoll result 2026: BJP's Debangshu Panda wins with nearly 1.5 lakh votes, TMC’s Jahangir Khan restricted to 7k

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Debangshu Panda won the repoll in Falta by a massive margin of 1,09,021 votes, defeating Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Sambhu Nath Kurmi. Meanwhile, All India Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, who had withdrawn from active campaigning but remained on the ballot, finished fourth with 7,783 votes.

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17:25 (IST) May 24

'Diamond Harbour turned into Loss-Bar model': CM Suvendu after BJP eyes massive Falta win

In a post on X, he said, "The notorious ‘Diamond Harbour’ model has turned into the ‘Trinamool’s Loss-Bar’ model!!! First of all, I bow my head in salutation to the people of Falta—the divine populace—who, with an overwhelming mandate, sent Shri Debangshu Pandya, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, to the Assembly in the bye-election for the Falta constituency. I am especially grateful to Falta’s voters; I had appealed to them to secure victory for BJP’s candidate by a margin of one lakh votes, and the winning margin has surpassed one lakh eight thousand. Through development, we shall repay this debt to you. We are committed to building a golden Falta."

"A party devoid of principles or ideals, which had morphed into a mafia syndicate, has had its skeletal state laid bare upon losing power. By abusing state machinery, this lot plundered public funds, extorted people’s hard-earned money, and through syndicates and a culture of threats, its leaders treated the nation as their private fiefdom," he added.

17:04 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: TMC's Abhishek Banerjee 'demands answers' from ECI as BJP takes leadin Falta

— abhishekaitc (@abhishekaitc)

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16:37 (IST) May 24

Falta repoll: BJP's Panda leads by over 1 lakh votes, after 20 rounds of voting

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Debangshu Panda is leading with a margin of 1,04,487 votes, while Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Sambhu Nath Kurmi got 40,576 votes.

16:23 (IST) May 24

Falta repoll: BJP's Panda leads by nearly 1 lakh votes, says 'Pushpa Raj has ended'

15:57 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results: BJP nears sweeping win in repoll, leads by nearly 1L votes

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda has surged to a commanding lead by nearly 1 lakh votes in the Falta assembly repoll, with counting reaching 19 of 21 rounds on Sunday.

The result marks a dramatic political turnaround in a constituency once projected by the Trinamool Congress as a stronghold of its organisational dominance in the Diamond Harbour belt, where it had showcased its so-called “Diamond Harbour model.”

What was expected to be a routine repoll in Falta has instead turned into a significant political statement, with the BJP consolidating a sweeping lead that could reshape narratives in South 24 Parganas.

The repoll was conducted after April 29 polling saw allegations of irregularities, including complaints over EVM tampering attempts and suspicious substances at multiple booths, prompting the Election Commission to order fresh voting across all 285 booths.

Held on May 21 under heavy security deployment of around 35 companies of central forces, the repoll recorded a high turnout of over 87 per cent among the constituency’s 2.36 lakh voters.

Until recently, Falta had been described by the TMC camp as a key symbol of its grassroots strength in the Diamond Harbour region. However, the current counting trend has sharply altered the political narrative, with BJP leaders claiming the outcome reflects voter sentiment in a “free and fair” election.

With just two rounds of counting remaining, BJP leaders have shifted focus from victory to the scale of the final margin, as Panda maintains a near-unassailable lead in Falta.

15:43 (IST) May 24

‘Pushpa Raj’ has ended. Now common people will rule Falta and there will be development in the state."

Falta BJP candidate Debanshu Panda

15:30 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live Updates: BJP workers celebrate and hail voter mandate

As counting of votes for Falta Assembly by-polls is underway, BJP workers celebrate as the party extends massive lead.

A BJP worker said to news agency PTI, "Bhaipo always boasted about his Diamond Harbor model, and this election has negated all his claims and boasts. This election restored democracy. People of Falta have given their mandate in favour of every BJP worker who paid the price of being in the party with their sweat and blood. People have expressed their faith that only the BJP can transform Bengal and ensure the safety of the people of the state."

15:23 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: BJP leads by 99,208 votes after 19 rounds

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is leading with 137,473 votes after 19 of 21 rounds, maintaining a margin of 99,208 votes over CPI(M)’s Sambhu Nath Kurmi, who trails with 38,265 votes.

15:11 (IST) May 24

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said BJP is leading by nearly 30,000 votes in Falta, adding that people had been “suppressed for years” by Jahangir Khan and his allies.

Union minister Sukanta Majumdar

14:55 (IST) May 24

‘Diamond Harbour model collapses’, says Pradeep Bhandari as Falta trends show BJP taking massive lead

— pradip103 (@pradip103)

14:12 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: BJP leading by 76,397 votes after 16 rounds of counting

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda surged ahead by 76,397 votes over his nearest CPI(M) rival after 16 rounds of counting in the repoll for West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency on Sunday, according to Election Commission data.

13:25 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: BJP’s Debangshu Panda leads by 58,000 votes

After 13 rounds of counting, BJP candidate Debangshu Panda was leading by over 58,000 votes in the Falta repoll.

Repolling across all 285 booths in the South 24 Parganas constituency was held on May 21 after the Election Commission countermanded the April 29 polling amid allegations of EVM tampering and other irregularities.

More than 87 per cent of the constituency’s 2.36 lakh voters exercised their franchise during the repoll. To ensure peaceful voting, the Commission deployed nearly 35 companies of central forces across the constituency.

The constituency has a total electorate of 2,36,444, including 1,21,300 men, 1,15,135 women and nine third-gender voters.

13:06 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results: BJP’s Keya Ghosh claims earlier polls were ‘rigged’

On BJP leading in Falta repoll, BJP spokesperson Keya Ghosh says, “……earlier elections were rigged, but now, people are voting according to their own will.”

On AJUP Chief Humayun Kabir’s statement, she says, “I urge him not to make any provocative remarks that can lead to communal clashes. Learn to respect the law…”

12:54 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results: BJP workers celebrate as party is leading

A BJP worker says, "Bhaipo always boasted about his Diamond Harbor model, and this election has negated all his claims and boasts. This election restored democracy... People of Falta have given their mandate in favour of every BJP worker who paid the price of being in the party with their sweat and blood. People have expressed their faith that only the BJP can transform Bengal and ensure the safety of the people of the state..."

12:29 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: BJP’s Debangshu Panda leads by over 34,000 votes after nine rounds

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda surged ahead of his nearest CPI(M) rival by more than 34,000 votes after nine rounds of counting in the Falta Assembly repoll in West Bengal on Sunday, according to Election Commission data.

After the completion of nine out of 21 counting rounds, Panda secured 57,318 votes, leading CPI(M) candidate Sambhu Nath Kurmi, who received 23,095 votes, by 34,223 votes.

Congress nominee Abdur Razzak Molla stood third with 6,200 votes.

Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, who had announced two days before the repoll that he would not contest and termed it a personal decision, was in fourth place with 2,902 votes.

11:58 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: 'Result is known to everyone', says West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh

West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Sunday said the outcome of the Falta Assembly re-poll was already clear, claiming there was “no fight” left in the contest as counting of votes continued in the 144-Falta Legislative Assembly constituency.

During a visit to the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, Ghosh alleged that the Trinamool Congress had failed to put up a challenge in the constituency.

"The Falta election result is known to everyone; there is no fight. The TMC people fled, and now wait for the result--that too will come...," he said.

11:38 (IST) May 24

Falta Repoll Counting: BJP’s Debangshu Panda crosses 37,000 votes after 6 rounds

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda strengthened his position in the Falta Assembly repoll after the sixth round of counting on Sunday, opening a lead of 19,701 votes over CPI(M) rival Sambhu Nath Kurmi. According to Election Commission trends, Panda secured 37,474 votes, while Kurmi polled 17,773 votes as counting continued across 21 rounds.

10:42 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: The constituency has a total electorate of 1,21,300 male voters, 1,15,135 female voters and nine third-gender voters.

10:22 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: BJP takes commanding lead after 1st round of counting

BJP candidate Debangshu Panda surged ahead by over 9,000 votes after the first round of counting in the repoll for West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency on Sunday, as per Election Commission data.

Out of the 21 counting rounds, Panda secured 9,534 votes in the opening round, leading CPI(M) candidate Sambhu Nath Kurmi by 9,086 votes.

Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, who had announced his withdrawal from the contest two days before the repoll citing personal reasons, remained in third place with 210 votes.

10:09 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: Polling for the re-election in the constituency was conducted on May 21 under tight security and institutional supervision, with the 144-Falta Assembly seat recording an estimated voter turnout of 60.43 per cent till 1 pm.

09:48 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: Counting underway in Diamond Harbour

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

09:46 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: Heavy security outside strong room

Security personnel were deployed outside the strong room at Diamond Harbour Women's University as counting of votes for the repoll in the 144-Falta Assembly constituency got underway on Sunday. The Election Commission had ordered repolling across all 285 polling stations after irregularities were reported during the West Bengal Assembly elections. The BJP later secured a massive victory in the state by winning 207 seats and formed its first-ever government in West Bengal, with Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as Chief Minister.

09:44 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: BJP candidate Debangshu Panda claims peaceful voting, predicts victory

JP candidate Debangshu Panda said polling during the repoll was conducted peacefully with a “festive atmosphere” at polling stations and expressed confidence in a BJP victory. “The atmosphere is fine, there is no problem. There is a festive atmosphere. Voters are coming, casting their votes, and leaving; it's a good atmosphere. BJP will win,” Panda told ANI after earlier alleging large-scale irregularities, voter intimidation and booth manipulation during the original polling process.

09:43 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: EC ordered fresh poll over ‘severe electoral offences’ in

The Election Commission of India had ordered fresh polling across all booths in the Falta constituency after reporting “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process” during the April 29 polling. Repolling in the constituency was conducted on May 21 under heavy security and institutional supervision, while repolling was also held in 15 booths of Paschim Magrahat and Diamond Harbour assembly constituencies.

09:43 (IST) May 24

Falta Election Results Live: Counting begins amid tight security

Counting of votes for the repoll in the 144-Falta Legislative Assembly constituency began on Sunday at Diamond Harbour Women's University under heavy security deployment. Authorities secured the strong room and maintained strict vigil around the counting centre to ensure a smooth and peaceful process as polling officials arrived early for the exercise.

Counting of votes for the repoll in West Bengal’s 144-Falta Assembly constituency began at Diamond Harbour Women's University under heavy security arrangements. The Election Commission had ordered fresh polling across all booths in the constituency following allegations of electoral irregularities and disruption of the democratic process during the April 29 phase of the 2026 Assembly elections. Repolling was conducted on May 21 amid tight security, recording over 60 per cent voter turnout. BJP candidate Debangshu Panda termed the polling peaceful and expressed confidence in his party’s victory. The BJP recently formed its first government in West Bengal after winning 207 seats, with Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as Chief Minister.

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