West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her “surprise and shock” in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, October 18, 2025. She demanded the immediate revocation of the appointment of an interlocutor tasked with discussing Gorkha-related matters.
Ms. Banerjee stated emphatically that her government was not consulted before retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh was appointed for discussions concerning Gorkha issues in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions of West Bengal. She described this move as “inconsistent with the spirit of cooperative federalism.”
In her two-page letter, she highlighted that the issues directly impact the governance, peace, and administrative stability of the region under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an autonomous body operating under the West Bengal government. She reiterated that such unilateral actions undermine the cooperative federalism that is a cornerstone of India’s Constitution.
Chief Minister Banerjee firmly believes that any initiatives involving the Gorkha community must involve the West Bengal government to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
In a related tweet, Mamata Banerjee shared her letter, stating, “Here goes my letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, communicating my surprise and shock at the unilateral appointment by the Government of India of an interlocutor for the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars regions of West Bengal.”
She reminded the Prime Minister that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was established following a Tripartite Agreement on July 18, 2011, in Darjeeling. This agreement involved the Government of India, the Government of West Bengal, and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), and was signed in the presence of the then Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The GTA’s formation aimed to foster socio-economic, infrastructural, educational, cultural, and linguistic development in the hill areas, while also protecting the Gorkha ethnic identity and promoting peaceful coexistence among all communities—a core principle for unity and harmony in the hills.
The Chief Minister emphasized that peace and harmony have largely prevailed in the state’s hill districts due to her government’s concerted and continuous efforts since coming to power in 2011, and they are committed to continuing these positive efforts.
Ms. Banerjee concluded by asserting that the West Bengal government believes any action concerning the Gorkha community or the GTA region must be undertaken with its full consultation to preserve the “hard-earned peace and tranquillity in the region.” She warned that “any unilateral action in this sensitive matter will not be in the interest of peace and harmony in the region.”
Therefore, she urged the Prime Minister to reconsider and revoke the appointment order, emphasizing that prior and due consultation with the West Bengal government is essential, reflecting the true spirit of federalism and mutual respect between the Union and the States.