War of words erupts over Centre’s interlocutor for Gorkha talks

A fresh political storm has swept across the Hills following the Centre's decision to appoint an interlocutor to hold discussions on Gorkha-related issues concerning Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The move, which the central government says is aimed at addressing long-pending demands of the Gorkha community, has triggered sharp reactions — dividing political camps between those supporting and those opposing the BJP.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly objected to the Centre’s appointment of retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as the interlocutor, terming the decision “unilateral and against the spirit of federalism.” In her recent letterto Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she urged the Centre to reconsider and revoke the appointment, alleging that it was made “without prior and due consultation with the West Bengal government.”

In the Hills, the issue has sparked a war of words between the pro-BJP camp and the pro-Mamata Banerjee faction, led by the Bharatiya Gorkha Projatantrik Morcha (BGPM), headed by Anit Thapa.

Adding to the tension, a section of Hill residents has circulated an old video of late All India Gorkha League president Madan Tamang, who had described the concept of interlocutors as “brokers” and “dalals”, alleging that such exercises were merely “games of money.”