In letter to PM, Didi ‘rejects’ Centre’s Gorkha envoy move
Times of India | 18 November 2025
Darjeeling: CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote to PM Narendra Modi, "rejecting" the Centre's "shocking, unilateral, arbitrary and wholly unconstitutional" decision to appoint former deputy national security adviser Pankaj Kumar Singh as an interlocutor for Gorkha issues in the Darjeeling Hills.
Banerjee said the decision was taken without any consultation or concurrence with the Bengal govt.
In her letter, Banerjee mentioned that on Oct 18, she had urged the PM to "reconsider and revoke" the appointment. She noted that although the PM's Office acknowledged her request and advised the Union home minister to examine the matter, the Centre operationalized the interlocutor's office through a memo on Nov 10.
Banerjee argued that the Darjeeling region was an integral part of West Bengal and governed by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Act, 2011 — a law passed by the state assembly and given presidential assent. Citing Section 2(h) of the Act, she said the term "Government" unequivocally referred to the govt of West Bengal, leaving no jurisdiction for the Centre to appoint an interlocutor for the region.
The CM contended that the Centre's order amounted to an "ultra vires and mala fide exercise of power" and violated the constitutional balance between the Union and states. Matters relating to state governance, she pointed out, fell squarely under List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Accusing the Centre of interfering in the state's internal affairs, Banerjee warned that such actions undermined cooperative federalism and eroded the spirit of unity and mutual respect.
She urged the PM to intervene once again and revoke what she termed was an "unconstitutional and arbitrary order".
"The appointment of an interlocutor to address matters already covered under an existing and valid state law constitutes a clear encroachment upon the federal structure of the country and a direct assault on the autonomy of the State of West Bengal. This action strikes at the core of cooperative federalism, which is among the basic features of the Indian Constitution," she said.
"No explanation or justification has been furnished by the central government for this extraordinary and unwarranted step. It is pertinent to note that the Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong regions, which once witnessed prolonged unrest, have enjoyed complete peace, stability and developmental progress under the present govt of West Bengal since 2011, following comprehensive administrative reforms and welfare initiatives," the letter said.
"In view of these facts," the letter added that the move "also appears to be a politically motivated attempt to disturb the peace and stability of the region".
"The govt of West Bengal categorically rejects and strongly objects to this unconstitutional, arbitrary and politically coloured interference in the internal affairs of the state. I once again look forward to your kind intervention and request you to revoke this unconstitutional and arbitrary order," the letter said.