Mamata Banerjee Demands Revocation of Gorkha Interlocutor Appointment in Letter to PM Modi Citing Federalism Concerns

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed "surprise and shock" regarding the appointment of an interlocutor for Gorkha-related discussions, prompting her to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the decision be revoked.

In her communication shared on social media platform X, Banerjee stated, "This appointment has been made without any consultation with the Government of West Bengal, even though the issues under reference directly relate to the governance, peace, and administrative stability of the area under Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous body under Government of West Bengal."

The Chief Minister highlighted that her government was not consulted prior to the appointment of retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as interlocutor for discussions concerning Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars regions of Bengal. She characterized this action as "inconsistent with the spirit of cooperative federalism" that underpins India's constitutional principles.

Banerjee emphasized the historical context of the GTA, noting it "was constituted following a Tripartite Agreement signed on 18th July, 2011 at Darjeeling, between the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in the presence of the then Hon'ble Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister of West Bengal."

She further explained that the GTA was established to ensure "socio-economic, infrastructural, educational, cultural and linguistic developments of the hill areas, while safeguarding the ethnic identity of the Gorkhas and promoting peaceful co-existence among all communities, a hallmark of the unity and harmony of the hills."

The West Bengal government firmly believes that any initiatives regarding the Gorkha community or the GTA region must involve full consultation with the state authorities to maintain the "hard-earned peace and tranquillity in the region." Banerjee warned that "any unilateral action in this sensitive matter will not be in interest of peace and harmony in the region."

The Chief Minister pointed out that peace has prevailed in the hill districts since her government came to power in 2011, attributing this to their "concerted and continuous efforts." She affirmed, "We are committed to continue with our positive efforts in that direction."

Concluding her appeal, Banerjee requested the Prime Minister to "kindly re-consider and revoke this appointment order issued without prior and due consultation with the Government of West Bengal, as is expected in the true spirit of federalism and mutual respect between the Union and the States."