Darjeeling MP and GNLF Leaders Urge Central Government to Expedite Talks for Permanent Political Solution

KalimNews, March 25, 2025 :  In a critical push for resolving the long-standing political issues of Darjeeling, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 25, urging the government to expedite tripartite talks. These talks, aimed at finding a permanent political solution (PPS) for the region, are expected to address the deep-rooted concerns of the Gorkha community in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars.

Following the meeting, Bista, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), informed his social media followers that the necessary formalities for the tripartite talks had been completed, and the discussions would be initiated "any day soon." He also reaffirmed the BJP-led central government's commitment to ensuring justice for the people of the region under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We can expect good news soon," Bista stated, highlighting other regional issues discussed during his meeting.

In a notable development, Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) President Mann Ghising recently urged Bista to involve renowned educationist and intellectual Dr. Mahendra P Lama in the forthcoming talks. Lama, who had previously contested the Darjeeling parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, is viewed as an important stakeholder in the Gorkha cause. Ghising’s request underlined Lama's prominence in the discourse surrounding the Gorkha issue and his potential role in shaping the region's future.

Meanwhile, GNLF Secretary General and Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba, who also represents the BJP, took a significant step by writing to Prime Minister Modi. Zimba's letter emphasized the urgent need to resume talks for a permanent political solution, warning that the Gorkha community was rapidly losing hope and patience with the delayed resolution of their demands. "The Gorkhas are not only losing hope in the BJP government, but more dangerously, they are also losing patience. Their trust, built over years, is now hanging by a fragile thread," Zimba warned.

Highlighting the strategic vulnerability of the region, Zimba cautioned that the lack of a political resolution was creating a vacuum, which was being exploited by "suspicious forces and elements." This, he argued, posed a significant national security concern. The Darjeeling Hills and its adjoining regions are located in a geopolitically sensitive area, and the absence of political clarity could exacerbate the risks posed by these external threats.

Zimba's plea to the Prime Minister also referenced Modi's famous statement, "Gorkha Ka Swapna Mera Swapna" (The Gorkha dream is my dream), which had sparked hope among the Gorkha community. Zimba emphasized that this promise was not merely a slogan but a solemn vow. He urged the Prime Minister to act decisively and fulfill the commitments made during the elections, underscoring the growing disillusionment within the community.

With the April 5 deadline fast approaching, the GNLF has called for immediate action to resolve the issues affecting the Gorkha people. The party has warned that failure to act could lead to further unrest and a breakdown of trust between the Gorkha community and the BJP-led government.

Political observers suggest that the GNLF is intensifying its pressure on the central government as the deadline nears, seeking to ensure that their long-pending demands, including the PPS and granting tribal status to 11 Gorkha communities, are addressed. The GNLF’s alliance with the BJP, formed after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s setback following the unsuccessful statehood agitation in 2017, now appears to be at a critical juncture. The GNLF’s stance will be crucial in shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.

As tensions rise and the April 5 deadline looms, all eyes are on the central government's next steps in this ongoing political drama, with the future of the Gorkha community in the Darjeeling Hills hanging in the balance.