West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised objections to the appointment of a government interlocutor by the Centre to address Gorkha issues in Darjeeling, Dooars, and Terai. Banerjee criticized the move as unilateral, done without consulting the state government.
The appointment of former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh by the Centre to handle matters related to the Gorkha community has stirred immediate political controversy in West Bengal. Banerjee and her party argue that such decisions undermine state authority and could disrupt the delicate socio-political balance in the hill regions.
Expressing her surprise and shock, Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Singh’s appointment. The letter, made public by the Chief Minister, comes shortly before the West Bengal assembly elections, adding a new dimension of political tension.
Banerjee emphasized that these issues fall within the jurisdiction of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous body under the West Bengal government. She highlighted that the GTA was established through a tripartite agreement involving the Government of India, the West Bengal government, and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). Banerjee stressed that any decisions concerning the Gorkha community or the GTA region should be made in consultation with the state government to maintain harmony in the sensitive area.
In a personal touch, the Chief Minister concluded her letter by extending Diwali greetings to the Prime Minister in her own handwriting, while reiterating her plea for reconsideration and withdrawal of the interlocutor’s appointment.