Ahead of the Assembly bypoll in Falta, a politically consequential segment because of its location in South 24 Paraganas, Trinamool Congress’ candidate Jahangir Khan exited the electoral race leaving the Mamata Banerjee-led outfit high and dry.Falta is located in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency represented by former Chief Minister Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee.It became a major talking point in the West Bengal elections after the Election Commission ordered a repoll there following evidence that voters were prevented from voting in favour of the BJP and the BJP symbols on EVMs were covered in white tape.Interestingly, then special poll observer for the EC Subrata Gupta, who is now an adviser to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, had conducted the Falta electoral malpractices inquiry. It was on his report that the repoll was ordered.Meanwhile today, Jahangir Khan, who would often describe himself as Pushpa, after a famed character of a hit Telugu film, withdrew from the Falta race, saying, “My objective is to ensure peace and security in Falta and foster its best possible development. My vision was ‘Sonar Falta’. Our Chief Minister is providing a special package for the people of Falta. It is for this reason that I am withdrawing my nomination in the interest of development and peace in the segment,” Khan said, prompting the BJP to ask “what happened to Pushpa”.The TMC in a statement later said Khan’s decision was a personal call and not a party decision. “Since May 4 when the results came, over 100 TMC workers were arrested in Falta alone. Many TMC offices were vandalised,” the TMC said, adding that it would continue to resist BJP’s threats.The TMC condemned Khan’s move to pull out of the race, pledging to continue working against ‘Bangla Birodhi’ BJP.The BJP, for its part, said Khan exited the race because he would not have found a polling agent in the area.“Many people tried to be Pushpa, but ended up being ‘Phuss’,” Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said.Meanwhile, Adhikari held a roadshow in Falta today where bypolls are scheduled for May 21.