Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb on Sunday spoke about the “role of a minister” for a “limited period” while promising to work for the people “even if he is not in power”, sparking speculation about his plans.

“A minister is only a custodian of the people for a certain period. Whether I remain in power or not, I will continue to work for the people,” the Trinamul leader said.

“An MLA is elected by the people but it is the prerogative of the chief minister whether one will be a minister or continue in office,” he added.

Deb said he “would personally prefer to leave the (minister’s) post and work more for the party”. “But I can’t make such a decision alone.”

After the Lok Sabha poll results, chief minister Mamata Banerjee reshuffled her ministry and party. Among north Bengal leaders, forest minister Binoy Krishna Burman was removed from the post and made the new Trinamul chief of Cooch Behar.

Deb was removed as the chairman of the North Bengal Development Council. Amar Singh Rai, the former MLA of Darjeeling, replaced Deb as the chief of the council.

“Unlike other Trinamul leaders, Gautam Deb continues to be the district president of the Darjeeling district (plains). But his comments indicate more changes,” said an observer.

In Darjeeling district, Trinamul has not won an Assembly or parliamentary seat after 2011. That year, it had bagged the Siliguri Assembly segment. In 2017, it won the Mirik civic body.