Trinamool on Tuesday suspended Swapan Saha, chairman of the TMC-run Malbazar municipality in Jalpaiguri district, following a probe by the state urban development and municipal affairs (UDMA) department on financial irregularities.
The district TMC leadership informed him on Tuesday about the suspension and told him that henceforth he would not participate in any event organised by the party.
Mahua Gope, the Trinamool president of Jalpaiguri, said the decision was made by the state leadership.
“As the party received certain complaints of financial irregularities against him, the decision has been made. He has been told to stay away from any activity organised by the party,” said Gope.
Saha submitted his resignation from the post of civic chairman to the administration.
Sources said many complaints were made against him for irregularities in the housing scheme, over installation of street lights and the distribution of shops.
“However, the major complaint against him was that he sold government land. He handed over government land to people who built shops and establishments,” said a source.
On Monday and even on Tuesday, a 13-member team of the urban development and municipal affairs department visited Malbazar municipality to probe into the charges against him. The team collected documents from the civic body, sources said.
Saha said: “I have accepted the party's decision."
Suman Sikdar, a lawyer of Malbazar, had filed complaints at the chief minister's office and sent copies to the state UDMA minister and chief secretary in August, accusing Saha of corruption.
“On September 10, I filed a public interest litigation at the Calcutta High Court. The case is pending,” said Sikdar.
“The UDMA department is conducting a probe. Once the inquiry ends, a decision would be made as to whether a complaint has to be filed with the police,” said a source in the administration.
The district police has withdrawn the security guard provided to Saha.
“Utpal Bhaduri, the vice-chairman, is likely to run the civic body now until the new chairman assumes office,” said a local TMC leader.
