Mamata Banerjee Urges PM Modi To Withdraw Order Appointing Interlocutor On Gorkha Issues

Last Updated:November 17, 2025, 23:49 IST

She described the move as “unconstitutional, arbitrary, and politically coloured interference” in the state’s affairs

PM Modi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee | ANI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her demand that the Centre withdraw the appointment of a retired IPS officer as an interlocutor for issues concerning the Gorkha community in the Darjeeling Hills.

She described the move as “unconstitutional, arbitrary, and politically coloured interference" in the state’s affairs.

In her letter, Banerjee said, “The Government of West Bengal categorically rejects and strongly objects to this unconstitutional, arbitrary, and politically coloured interference in the internal affairs of the State. Such acts undermine the constitutional federal structure and erode the spirit of unity and mutual respect that defines our democratic polity. I once again request your intervention to revoke this arbitrary order."

The Chief Minister stressed that Darjeeling is an “inseparable and integral part" of West Bengal and is governed under the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) Act, 2011, which was passed by the State Legislature and came into force on March 12, 2012, after receiving Presidential assent.

The Act provides a framework for self-governance in the Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions, and explicitly defines the “Government" under Section 2(h) as the Government of West Bengal.

Citing the Act, Banerjee argued that the Centre “has no jurisdictional competence" to appoint an interlocutor for administrative matters in the region.

She also referred to her earlier letter dated October 18, in which she had asked the Centre to reconsider the appointment of the retired IPS officer as the interlocutor for the Darjeeling Hills.

News india Mamata Banerjee Urges PM Modi To Withdraw Order Appointing Interlocutor On Gorkha Issues

Read More