Political turmoil has erupted in Bengal over Gorkhaland talks negotiator.

Kolkata, Oct 18 (IANS) A political tussle has erupted in West Bengal over the Centre’s decision to appoint former Deputy National Security Advisor and former Director General of Border Security Force Pankaj Kumar Singh as interlocutor for trilateral talks on a permanent political solution to the long-standing demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

The proposed state would include parts of the Terai and Dooars regions of northern Bengal as well as the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

A permanent political solution also demands inclusion of 11 hill-based tribes of North Bengal in the Scheduled Caste category.

The decision has been welcomed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and two hill parties, Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF).

Raju Bista, a two-time BJP Lok Sabha member from Darjeeling, described the initiative as unique, noting that it is the first time that the central government has appointed a negotiator to mediate a permanent political solution.

“This reflects the sincerity of the central government in resolving the complexities associated with the issue. This step will strengthen efforts to achieve a lasting political solution,” he said.

Bimal Gurung also welcomed the decision, saying that the people of the hills had been demanding the intervention of the central government in this matter for a long time and the appointment of the interlocutor is the first step in that direction.

GNLF President Man Ghisingh thanked the central government for appointing the interlocutor and called it a step in the right direction to take forward talks on a permanent political solution.

However, the Trinamool Congress and its ally in the hills, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which currently administers the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), have dismissed the central government’s move as a political stunt ahead of next year’s crucial West Bengal Assembly elections.

Anit Thapa, founder of BGPM and chief executive of GTA, said the Center should have appointed an interlocutor long ago. “The timing of this decision raises suspicions that the move is merely a cosmetic gesture. Earlier, the central government had ignored our repeated calls to initiate a discussion on the issue,” he said.

Gautam Deb, a Trinamool Congress leader from Darjeeling and mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, said the move would not benefit the hill population. He said, “The people of the hills want development, which the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is ensuring. This announcement by the Center is nothing more than a political gimmick before the elections.”

–IANS

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