A Trinamul leader in Malda has been accused of taking money from his colleagues in exchange for party posts.

Tudu, the Trinamul president of Gazole block, took money from party leaders and put them in posts of anchal (panchayat level) presidents of the block, alleged sources.

Subhashis Chakraborty, a Trinamul general secretary in the block, publicly accused Tudu of taking money, and sent a letter to Trinamul’s all-India general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s office on the issue.

“Tudu demanded at least Rs 5 lakh for the post of anchal sabhapati (panchayat-level president). Those who could not pay were denied the post despite their experience.... Some people paid up to Rs 22 lakh to get posts of anchal sabhapati or anchal chairman,” said Chakraborty.

In the letter to Abhishek, he said it was an instance of “unprecedented corruption within the party”.

“We requested him for a probe. We want stringent steps against Dinesh Tudu,” Chakraborty added.

In all, there are 15 panchayats in Gazole block, each with a president and a chairman.

Tudu rubbished the charges. “I have been vocal against corruption even within the party. Those who made money by selling jobs or other illegal activities are now trying to harass me. I hope the party gets to the truth,” Tudu, also a member of Malda zilla parishad, said.

Malda Trinamul chief Abdur Rahim Boxi said party leaders should refrain from publicly accusing each other of corruption.

Ujjwal Dutta, the BJP head of Malda north (organisational) district, said Trinamul leaders were busy in mudslinging as they were corrupt at all levels.