The names of a rural CPM leader and her family members showed up in the list of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Murshidabad’s Farakka, marking it the first instance of a Left leader allegedly embroiled in an instance of corruption related to the central housing scheme.

CPM panchayat member Jimi Ray, her husband Anil, father-in-law Bijay, motherin-law Chhaya and brotherin-law Shyam were listed as beneficiaries in Bewa-II gram panchayat area during a detailed inquiry into PMAY lists across the state ordered by Nabanna.

The Farakka BDO conducted this particular survey earlier this month.

“A CPM panchayat member and her family’s names came up on the beneficiary list, and we will inquire if any of them are eligible,” said BDO Junaid Ahmed.

Contacted for her reaction to this finding, Jimi said that she “was not aware” how her name and that of her family members showed up as beneficiaries.

She also admitted that all five of them were ineligible to be PMAY beneficiaries.

Sources said Jimi’s husband is an employee at the Farakka NTPC. “Our names should be taken off the list immediately,” she said.

District CPM leaders distanced themselves from the development.

“Our party is not involved in this. If there was any malpractice, it was surely done in cahoots with Trinamul,” said CPM district committee member Dilip Misra.

Sources said that following her election to the gram panchayat on a CPM ticket in 2018, Jimi was seen at a Trinamul rally later that year.

Panchayat pradhan Chhoton Mehra confirmed that 2018 incident and went on to say: “Perhaps her name showing up as a PMAY beneficiary has something to do with her passing involvement with the Trinamul Congress. Our panchayat knows nothing about this. Block officials should clarify the matter.”