Criticise characters on the rise in state government (3,2)
I believe the answer is:
get at
'criticise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'characters on the rise in state government' is the wordplay.
'on the rise' is a reversal indicator.
'characters' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some letters or characters from the clue).
'tateg' can be found hidden inside 'in state government'.
'tateg' in reverse letter order is 'GET AT'.
(Other definitions for get at that I've seen before include "Pick on - gain access to" , "Unfairly influence" , "Reach - mean - attack verbally" , "Nobble; gain access to" , "Criticise (someone)" .)