West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a press conference on Monday said she has "blocked" Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar's Twitter account. She also accused the Governor of "tapping phones" and "threatening" officials.

"I apologise for it in advance. He (Jagdeep Dhankhar) tweets something every day abusing me or my officers. Says unconstitutional, unethical things. He instructs not advises. Treats an elected government like bonded labour. That's why I have blocked him from my Twitter account. I was getting irritated," Mamata Banerjee said at a news conference.

“I have written four letters to the Centre, seeking the Governor’s removal. I also talked to the Prime Minister but no action was taken…. The Centre has Pegasus. Pegasus is being used here from Raj Bhawan. Phones are being tapped at random. It is your (media’s) job to explore and find out. Go through the documents kept at Raj Bhawan,” said Banerjee while addressing reporters at Nabanna, the state secretariat.

Dhankar and Mamata have been on warpath for the last few years over several issues, but the latest flashpoint appears to have been triggered by Dhankar’s comments on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary on Sunday during which he said that Bengal is “getting drenched” in violence.

Soon after her press conference, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar took to Twitter to post a screenshot of Article 159 of the Constitution which spells out the functions of a Governor.

He also posted a description of Article 167 of the Constitution which spells out the duties of a Chief Minister.

Last week, the TMC decided to move a Substantive Motion against Dhankhar in the Rajya Sabha and another motion in the state legislative assembly to condemn his actions and demand his removal. Ruling party leaders have repeatedly alleged that he is “an agent of the Centre”.