West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is reportedly sitting on formal complaints of corruption and nepotism lodged against party’s Haldia strongman Lakshman Seth nearly a year ago.

The complaint was reportedly received by the CM’s secretariat on March 5, 2009, before the party’s Central Committee launched a rectification drive against corruption, malpractices and “alien class influences” among comrades. One of the most specific and documented complaints against Seth was officially communicated to the CM’s secretariat by sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Tamluk Suvendu Adhikari.

Prior to the elections, he had filed an RTI application to “reveal how Seth had leased out land free of cost by using his influence as the Haldia Development Authority chairman”.

In a letter attached with the RTI reply, Adhikary had said: “Manipulative, corrupt, irregular and fraud practices are being pursued by Lakshman Seth in his capacity as the chairman of Haldia Development Authority for the benefit of his NGO, which runs business commercially.”

He had appealed to the chief minister to order a judicial inquiry under a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court or the CBI.

After receiving the complaint letter, the CM sent it to the state party headquarters at Alimuddin Street, said party sources. But, the fear of a backlash in Haldia prevented any stern action against Seth, though as a token gesture a party functionary was expelled.

“I have not heard about any inquiry initiated on the basis of such a complaint against Lakshman Seth,” said Shyamal Chakraborty, CPM Central Committee member and Rajya Sabha MP.

Md Selim, another Central Committee member, added: “This is a party internal matter. I cannot comment on the allegations against Seth. I do not know why the government did not act on such a complaint.”

Party sources maintain that even as charges against Seth were discussed in various party forums, including state committee meetings, a section of party leaders were reluctant in taking action against him considering his strong influence on the party’s top brass.