using return false in plugin code

using return false in plugin code

hey guys the below peice of JS is just from a regular plugin , have a look : 

  1. this.$navNext.on( 'click.gallery', function( event ) {
  3. if( _self.options.autoplay ) {
  5. clearTimeout( _self.slideshow );
  6. _self.options.autoplay = false;
  8. }
  10. _self._navigate('next');
  11. return false;  // return false here 
  13. });
now notice 2 things here , 

1st the element on which the the on handler is applied , I.E. 

  1. this.$navNext; 
and the 2nd is the 

  1. return false;

now in this instance the this.$navNext;  is a <a> element , but is the return false needed if the we know that before hand the this.$navNext is not a <a> element ?