Falta repoll count: BJP's Debangshu Panda leads by 14,514 votes; TMC trails in 4th
Synopsis
In a result that has stunned political observers, Trinamool Congress has slipped to fourth place in the Falta repoll count — behind both CPI(M) and Congress — while BJP's Debangshu Panda leads by over 14,500 votes after just five rounds. It is the first time since 2011 that CPI(M) has outpolled TMC in West Bengal, and the numbers could redraw the state's opposition arithmetic.
Key Takeaways
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda leads the Falta Assembly repoll count by 14,514 votes after the fifth round on 24 May .
Panda has polled 30,562 votes ; CPI(M)'s Sambhunath Kurmi is second with 16,048 ; Congress's Abdur Razzak is third with 3,510 .
Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan is fourth with just 1,685 votes — the first time since 2011 that CPI(M) has outpolled TMC in West Bengal.
Jahangir Khan and his party agents were absent from the counting centre.
A BJP win would take the party's tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly to 208 seats , with TMC at 80 .
All 21 rounds of counting are underway; the final result was expected to be clear by 1 pm IST .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Debangshu Panda held a commanding lead of 14,514 votes after the fifth round of counting in the Falta Assembly constituency repoll on Sunday, 24 May, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) languishing in an unprecedented fourth position. The figures, sourced from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, point to a near-certain BJP victory with 16 more rounds still to be counted.
Vote Tally After Round Five
With five of 21 rounds complete, Debangshu Panda of the BJP had polled 30,562 votes. CPI(M) candidate Sambhunath Kurmi stood second with 16,048 votes, while Congress candidate Abdur Razzak was third at 3,510 votes. Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan trailed in fourth place with just 1,685 votes. Results were expected to be clearer by 1 pm IST.
A Historic Slide for Trinamool
The counting figures mark a striking political reversal: this is reportedly the first time since the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections that the CPI(M) has outpolled the Trinamool Congress in a constituency contest. Political observers noted that while a BJP win in the Falta repoll was widely anticipated, the extent of the TMC's collapse — falling even behind the Congress — was described as 'quite unexpected.' Adding to the symbolism, Jahangir Khan and his party agents were absent from the counting centre. Khan had earlier announced his withdrawal from the contest, even though he remained on the ballot through the repoll.
What the Numbers Mean for West Bengal's Assembly
With the BJP candidate's victory appearing all but certain, the party's tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Legislative Assembly is set to rise to 208 seats. The Trinamool Congress would hold 80 seats, followed by the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and Congress at two seats each, and CPI(M) and the All India Secular Front at one seat each.
Ground Situation at the Counting Centre
Counting proceeded under tight security arrangements. As Panda's lead widened with each successive round, BJP workers outside the counting centre broke into celebrations. The absence of the TMC candidate and his agents from the venue underscored the party's effective disengagement from the contest.
With 16 rounds of counting still pending, the final margin is expected to widen further — potentially making Falta one of the BJP's most emphatic by-election victories in West Bengal in recent years.
Point of View
The Falta result will be cited in every conversation about West Bengal's 2026 Assembly election calculus.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the Falta Assembly repoll count?
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda is leading with 30,562 votes after five rounds of counting, a margin of 14,514 votes over his nearest rival, CPI(M)'s Sambhunath Kurmi, who has 16,048 votes.
Why is Trinamool Congress in fourth place in Falta?
According to counting figures from the Chief Electoral Officer's office, TMC candidate Jahangir Khan had secured only 1,685 votes after five rounds, placing him behind BJP, CPI(M), and Congress. Political observers described the outcome as unexpected, noting that even a Congress finish ahead of TMC was not widely anticipated.
When was the last time CPI(M) outpolled Trinamool Congress in West Bengal?
According to political observers cited in reports, this is the first time since the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections that CPI(M) has surpassed Trinamool Congress in vote share in a constituency contest.
What will the West Bengal Assembly seat tally look like if BJP wins Falta?
A BJP victory would take the party's total to 208 seats in the 294-seat West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Trinamool Congress would hold 80 seats, with AJUP and Congress at two seats each, and CPI(M) and All India Secular Front at one seat each.
Why was the Falta constituency repoll held?
The source material does not specify the reason for the Falta repoll. The repolling was announced prior to the counting, and the original election result was set aside pending this fresh vote.
