A group of Trinamul leaders of Kaliachak-II block in Malda led by Mothabari MLA Sabina Yeasmin held a sit-in demonstration at the BDO’s office on Wednesday, alleging that the head of a Trinamul-run panchayat of the block was engaged in corrupt activities in connivance with the BDO.

Trinamul protesters demanded that the pradhan of Gangaprasad panchayat, also a Trinamul leader, should face legal consequences and that the BDO should be removed.

The demonstration in presence of the Trinamul MLA, as well as Sudhir Das, the Trinamul president of Kaliachak-II block, against an elected representative of the party and an administrative official has caused a stir within the party.

Yeasmin said the protest was held in people’s interest.

“Aminul Islam, the head of Gangaprasad panchayat, has lost confidence of most elected members. Except two or three, most of the 16 members are disgusted with his inaction and corruption. All developmental work has come to a halt in the panchayat for over one-and-a-half years. People regularly complain that they are deprived of various social welfare schemes launched by the state government,” she said. She alleged that BDO Sanjay Ghisingh had not taken any step against Aminul, even though others had approached Ghisingh against Aminul a number of times.

“Hundreds of people are facing inconveniences. That is why I felt it necessary to hit the streets. The chief minister is sincerely working to help people of the state but here, it is because of this panchayat head and the BDO that people are being deprived of such schemes,” Yeasmin, a former state minister, said.

This paper could not contact Aminul over phone.

BDO Ghisingh refrained from commenting on the MLA’s allegations but claimed that an inquiry had been ordered against the panchayat.

District Trinamul leaders reacted with caution. “We will surely check out if the pradhan is involved in corrupt activities. But the MLA and the block leaders should have acted with restraint. What they did on Wednesday has been a loss of face for the party,” said a district leader.

BJP picked up the issue with glee. “It is a common scene in most rural bodies in the state where Trinamul is in power. The situation has reached such point that even some Trinamul leaders are finding it tough to remain silent,” said Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, senior BJP leader.