Darjeeling Gorkha Talks: Mamata Banerjee Slams Centre’s ‘Unilateral’ Move

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal has strongly criticized the Union government’s decision to appoint an interlocutor for Gorkha issues in the Darjeeling Hills without consulting the state. In a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee expressed her deep concern over the ‘unilateral’ appointment of retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh, calling it contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism. Banerjee emphasized in her letter that the issues are directly linked to the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous council operating under the West Bengal government. She proudly noted that her government has maintained peace and harmony in the hill areas since 2011, a result of dedicated and collective efforts. The Chief Minister warned that unilateral actions could destabilize the region. Highlighting the importance of the 2011 Tripartite Agreement, which established the GTA with the involvement of the central government, the state government, and the GJM, Banerjee insisted that the state must be an integral part of any future discussions. She reiterated that collaborative decision-making is crucial for the sustained development and inclusive progress of the Gorkha community and the region. Therefore, she requested the Prime Minister to revoke the recently made appointment.