India, April 19 --  A high-stakes political battle is unfolding in the Habra Assembly constituency of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. The seat has grabbed significant attention after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) once again fielded Jyoti Priya Mallick, a former minister in the Mamata Banerjee government and an accused in the PDS irregularities case, who had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and spent time in jail.

Political observers had speculated that the TMC might shift Mallick to another constituency. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appears to have taken a different call, despite Mallick himself reportedly expressing reluctance to contest from Habra and requesting for a change of seat. Realising...