Trinamul Congress leaders in north Bengal have decided to reach out to people and campaign against the constant criticism of governor Jagdeep Dhankhar who, according to them, is a “political agent with some agenda”.

State tourism minister Gautam Deb said on Sunday: “It appears that from Day One, he has been acting like a political agent with some agenda. We know people of Bengal are politically conscious and well aware of every issue. We will just put everything in front of them and use social media.”

En route from Calcutta to Siliguri by train on Saturday, the governor had spoken to media persons at the Malda Town station where he criticised the Mamata Banerjee government.

Before leaving for Darjeeling on Sunday, Dhankhar held a news conference at the state guest house here and again lambasted the government.

“We would like to request the governor to work within the framework of the Indian constitution and not to function as the spokesperson for any political party. If he (governor) has to make observations on any issue, he could report the same to the Centre or ask the state government to share information with him. Instead, he is acting like the cadre of a saffron party. This is unprecedented and unfortunate,” said Deb.

Dhankhar had questioned the role of the district magistrate and the superintendent of police of Darjeeling and said their job was not that of members of any political party.

Trinamul Rajya Sabha member Shanta Chhetri said the governor had questioned the integrity and self-respect of two efficient civil servants without any concrete proof.

“Such statements are unexpected from a governor. He has tried to demoralise his own officers without understanding facts.”