A proposed reshuffle in the Haroa block-level organising committee in North 24-Parganas has triggered intense backlash against senior Trinamool leader and minister Sujit Bose.

Local party leaders have openly accused Bose, who is the fire services minister and observer for the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, of using the proposed reorganisation to serve his personal interest.

The outrage took such a turn as angry party supporter slapped posters against him in Haroa and threatened to organise protest rallies by burning his effigy.

At an organisational meeting on December 19 in Basirhat, Bose proposed replacing Haroa block 2 president Farid Jamadwar, sparking outrage.

Trinamool's Haroa youth wing leader, Abdul Khaleque Molla, who is also the vice-president of the Haroa panchayat samiti, defended Jamadwar's performance.

Molla cited Jamadwar's contributions to securing a 32,000-vote lead for the TMC in Haroa during the last Lok Sabha elections, breaking the ISF stronghold in the area.

"It was Farid Jamadwar’s leadership that ensured the party’s success in Haroa, even despite incidents like the Sandeshkhali violence," said Molla. "Yet, fire services minister Sujit Bose proposed his removal, which is unjust and detrimental to party unity."

Jamadwar expressed shock and humiliation over the proposed ouster.

"Despite my hard work for the party and consistent results in elections, this decision was announced abruptly in front of party workers. Such treatment is unacceptable. He has no such authority. Such a decision has no consent of (party supremo) Mamata Banerjee, (party national general secretary) Abhishek Banerjee or (Rajya Sabha member) Subrata Bakshi," Jamadwar said.

Supporting Jamadwar, Molla accused Bose of dividing the party for personal gain.

"Removing an educated and dedicated leader like Jamadwar serves no purpose other than fostering groupism. Protests are erupting across Basirhat, and we will escalate our agitation unless the decision is reversed," he warned, adding that protesters would take to streets from Monday.

Party insiders said that the proposal to replace Jamadwar was aimed at managing factionalism, which was "taking on a violent hue".

"The reshuffle is necessary, but is under consideration and has not been officially implemented," a party source said.

Attempts to contact Bose for his response were unsuccessful.

Speaking at an event in Baduria on December 20, Bose said: "I am acting on the chief minister’s orders. There is no division in the party; we are united."

In response, BJP Basirhat organisational district youth wing president Palash Sarkar said: "Except for one leader, the rest in Trinamool are mere figureheads with no dignity."