In letter to Modi, Bengal CM Mamata seeks revocation of appointment of interlocutor on Gorkha points

Expressing “surprise and shock” over the appointment of an interlocutor to carry discussions on the problems regarding Gorkhas, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (October 18, 2025) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded revocation of the choice.

Ms. Banerjee claimed her authorities was not consulted earlier than retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh was appointed as an interlocutor to carry discussions on the problems regarding Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars areas of West Bengal, which she stated was “inconsistent with the spirit of cooperative federalism”.

“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 the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous body under the Government of West Bengal,” she stated within the two-page letter.

“Such unilateral action is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperative federalism that forms one of the foundational principles of our Constitution,” she added.

CM Banerjee harassed that any initiative in regards to the Gorkha group should contain the West Bengal authorities to make sure sustained peace and concord within the area.

“It may be recalled that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) 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 stated.

“The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was created 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,” she famous.

The CM stated peace and concord have been prevailing within the hill districts of the state, which has been doable with the concerted and steady efforts made by her authorities after it got here to energy in 2011.

“We are committed to continue with our positive efforts in that direction,” she stated.

Ms. Banerjee stated the West Bengal authorities is firmly of the view that any initiative in regards to the Gorkha group or the GTA area have to be undertaken in full session with it, so as to protect the “hard-earned peace and tranquillity in the region”.

“Any unilateral action in this sensitive matter will not be in interest of peace and harmony in the region,” she maintained.

“I would, therefore, request you 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,” she stated.