KOLKATA: 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 his falling popularity she has even campaigned for him saying, “I am the candidate everywhere. A vote for Trinamool is a vote for me. If you want development to continue under my leadership, cast your vote keeping my face in mind.”
Habra, owing to its proximity to Kolkata—around 45 km to the south—is considered a relatively developed town with rail and road connectivity. However, residents point out that several basic civic issues continue to persist. Ground feedback collected by The Sunday Guardian reflected a mixed voter sentiment. A local voter, Dipanjon, alleged that the TMC candidate was involved in a scam and remained absent from the constituency after winning. Another voter, Bapi, expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that Mallick has failed to deliver on development and that unemployment has forced many youths to migrate to other states. He also flagged concerns over law and order. In contrast, Amina Sheikh, a 45-year-old voter, said her support remains firmly with Mamata Banerjee, asserting that her vote is for “Didi” rather than the individual candidate. For her, the party leadership outweighs candidate-specific considerations. Another resident, Abhijeet, voiced support for Mallick, locally known as “Balu Da,” claiming that the BJP had falsely implicated him.
Demographically, the constituency presents a mixed profile. Scheduled Caste voters constitute around 29.61% of the electorate, while Muslims account for approximately 17.10%. The voter base is split between 55.26% urban and 44.48% rural populations.
Historically, the seat has been a stronghold of the TMC, which has won here four times. The party first captured Habra in 2001, just three years after its formation, and retained it in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
However, the 2021 Assembly election turned into a closely fought contest. Jyoti Priya Mallick managed to hold on to the seat by a slim margin of 3,841 votes against BJP candidate Biswajit Sinha. Despite not winning the seat, the BJP has steadily expanded its base, leading in the Habra Assembly segment during both the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections by margins of 19,452 and 19,933 votes, respectively.
BJP candidate Debdas Mondal, speaking to The Sunday Guardian, alleged that Habra has witnessed little development over the past 13 years under Mallick’s leadership. He highlighted chronic traffic congestion on Jessore Road and claimed that traders, labourers, and daily wage earners continue to face neglect and harassment.
Mondal further pointed to gaps in healthcare infrastructure, alleging inadequate facilities and limited access even under schemes like Swasthya Sathi. He also flagged issues such as waterlogging, poor drainage, lack of drinking water, and deficient basic amenities.
Additionally, he raised concerns over alleged widespread corruption and deteriorating law and order in the state. While acknowledging that many voters remain silent out of fear, he expressed confidence that they would deliver their verdict through the ballot box.
The Sunday Guardian reached out to the TMC candidate Jyoti Priya Mallick, however he refused to speak.
A political analyst told The Sunday Guardian that given the BJP’s consistent electoral gains in the constituency, the TMC cannot afford complacency. With the BJP closing the gap and sensing an opportunity, the contest could potentially see an upset. The analyst added that a stronger performance by the Left-Congress alliance could further intensify the contest and even tilt the balance in BJP’s favour in the 2026 Assembly elections.
