Amit Shah attacks TMC for ‘neglecting’ Gorkhas, promises fast-track solution for Bengal hills if BJP wins
The Statesman | 21 April 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday made a high-stakes election promise, declaring that a long-pending political solution for the Gorkha community would be delivered within a month if the BJP forms the next government in West Bengal.
Addressing a rally in Sukna, Shah said the Centre was ready with a framework to resolve the demands of the Gorkha community across Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. He set May 6 as the deadline for a decision, claiming the proposal would reflect the aspirations of local residents and bring closure to a decades-old issue.
Shah said the proposed settlement would be shaped by the demands of the Gorkha population, asserting that successive governments had failed to address their concerns. He accused both the Congress and the Trinamool Congress of neglecting the region and leaving the community politically marginalised.
He also accused the state government of undermining Gorkha identity and heritage, claiming that the community’s history had been repeatedly sidelined under previous administrations.
“The Gorkhas have a glorious history. Mamata Banerjee is trying to destroy that history and culture. The same thing was done first by Congress and then by CPI(M). It is high time now that such injustice on our Gorkha brothers and sisters should stop,” said Shah.
Stepping up his criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shah alleged that North Bengal has been consistently overlooked in state planning. He pointed to the inadequate budget allocations for the region, arguing that development priorities were skewed.
“In the last budget, the state government had allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the entire North Bengal. But for minority and madrasa education development, the budgetary allocation is as high as Rs 5,800 crore. But the people of North Bengal will not tolerate this approach anymore,” Shah said.
Shah further claimed that efforts by the Union government to initiate dialogue had been hindered by the state’s absence. He said multiple meetings had been convened to discuss a permanent political arrangement, but the West Bengal government had not sent representatives.
Stressing that the Centre would move ahead regardless, Shah said the BJP understands the “sentiments and struggles” of the Gorkha people and is prepared to act decisively if voted to power.
“Since I became the Union Home Minister, I have convened at least three meetings on this issue. But Mamata Banerjee did not send any representative to the meeting even once. I want to tell the Chief Minister that we are not dependent on her to solve this issue. I know what is on the minds of our Gorkha brothers and sisters. Hence, the solution would be achieved accordingly,” he said.
The promise comes amid renewed political focus on the Darjeeling hills, where demands for greater autonomy have shaped electoral battles for decades.