Tamluk, Aug. 1: Trinamul Congress workers have blocked the main gate of the Haldia municipality office, refusing to let in Left councillors till chairperson Tamalika Ponda Seth appeared before the agitators.

Tamalika has neither been coming to her office nor is she being seen anywhere in Haldia ever since an FIR has been filed against her on July 23.

She has been accused of illegally leasing out 9.68 acres belonging to the Haldia Development Authority to a private company.

Fourteen Left councillors, led by the municipality vice-chairperson Narayan Pramanik, today demonstrated in front of the offices of district magistrate Parwez Ahmed Siddiqui and district superintendent of police S.K. Jain, and later submitted deputations on not being allowed to work.

“We are not being able to issue cheques to contractors or give proofs of residence to people. We are not being allowed to enter the municipality office since yesterday. Trinamul workers have put up a blockade outside the gate. We have lodged a complaint with the Bhabanipur police station but no action has been taken,” Pramanik said.

Additional district magistrate (general) Moloy Haldar said he had asked police to ensure the demonstrations was lifted as early as possible and the Left councillors let in.

According to CPM councillor Tapasi Mondal, refusing to allow work in the civic office would in no way help bring Tamalika before them. “How can we bring her to office if she does not come herself. The Trinamul has already framed her in a false case and she is seeking legal opinion.” Tapasi said she was “pushed out” of the municipality yesterday.

Leader of the Opposition at Haldia municipality Debaprasad Mondal said the chairperson should “immediately join office or resign”. He added the vice-chairman was not allowed in because he have been taking “decisions beyond his jurisdiction in the absence of the chairperson.”