The CPM leadership on Monday forced an important functionary of its Hooghly organisation to resign following reports over the last three months that he was involved in the irregular purchase of medicines.

Asit Patra, the sabhadhipati of the CPM-run district zilla parishad, put in his papers to the divisional commissioner, Burdwan, in the afternoon.

A Hooghly district committee member, Patra was appointed the chairman of the zilla parishad in August, 2008. Simultaneously, Patra was also the ex-officio chairman of the district health committee, a statutory authority accountable for the purchase of medicines for state-run hospitals and health centres. Six months ago, the committee bought medicines worth Rs 54 lakh without permission from the Health department.

The party’s in-charge of Hooghly affairs Benoy Konar said: “He was the chairman of the committee, and therefore, accountable for the irregularities. We approve of his decision to resign.”

Sources said Patra admitted to the irregularities in his resignation. He later told reporters: “As the head of the purchase committee, I take full responsibility and resign from the post.”

But party insiders said Patra was made the scapegoat for the infighting between two powerful lobbies in the organisation and the government. The Health department brought the complaint against Patra for not seeking its approval before going ahead with the purchases. It is understood Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra okayed the complaint.

But a senior party leader in the district said Patra had bought the medicines with sanction from the Finance department. “But he did not consult Health. How is it that the Finance ministry approved of the purchases and released the fund?” he asked.