Centre appoints official interlocutor to address Gorkha aspirations within constitutional framework

DEEP GAZMER, EOI, DARJEELING, OCTOBER 17, 2025 : The Centre on Thursday appointed former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh as the official interlocutor to restart talks with the Gorkha community to understand their demands and to find a peaceful solution. BJP national spokesperson and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista confirmed the development and made the announcement in a Press statement in his social media handle on Friday. "On behalf of the people from Darjeeling hills, the Terai and the Dooars, I extend my gratitude to the Prime Minister and Home Minister for announcing the appointment of an interlocutor to take forward the talks concerning our region," he said. “To me, this represents a significant victory for the people of our region. I have always believed that the road to a lasting political solution must be paved with dialogue and guided by peace," Bista said.

The BJP national spokesperson said the appointment of an interlocutor to take forward the dialogue and recommend measures for socio-economic uplift, cultural recognition, preservation of the Gorkha cultural heritage and addressing their aspirations within the constitutional framework was a welcome move. “Engaging all stakeholders positively this way exemplifies the commitment to inclusive governance and national integration exhibited time and again by the Central government,” Bista said.

The Darjeeling MP was optimistic that all the stakeholders including the West Bengal government would engage with the interlocutor positively, and work toward taking the final step for attaining a permanent solution for the region.

The Gorkha National Liberation Front, one of the primary partners of the BJP, expressed gratitude to the Centre for appointing an interlocutor to facilitate the process of finding a lasting political solution for the Gorkha community. “This decision clearly reflects the Central Government's sensitivity, commitment, and just approach towards the long-standing issues of the Gorkha people. We feel this initiative will give all concerned stakeholders the opportunity to present their views, suggestions and perspective in a constructive manner," GNLF president, Mann Ghising said.

Having partnered with the BJP since 2019, helping the saffron party retain its Darjeeling seat, in return for the promise of a separate Gorkhaland state, the GNLF had started showing signs of frustration, even going as far as displaying black flags on its foundation day, and issuing an ultimatum for its support in the 2026 election.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha which initially helped the 'lotus to bloom' in the Hills in 2009 and then severed ties in 2017 after the statehood agitation and then again allied with the BJP, said it was a positive step taken by the Central Government to resolve the demands of the people from the Darjeeling hills, the Terai and the Dooars.

"We welcome the appointment of an interlocutor to take forward and finalize the political demands of the Gorkha community. It is a positive step taken by the Government to resolve the demands of the people. A permanent solution under the Constitution of India for our region is not only vital for protecting the rights of the Gorkha community, but also essential for the overall progress and prosperity of the entire region,” GJM chief Bimal Gurung said.

Gurung appealed to all the political parties of the Hills to unite and work together with a common agenda. "We request other political parties and social organizations to rise above individual interests. At this crucial juncture it is our foremost duty and responsibility to work together with a common agenda," he said.

The GJM is not averse to parleys with Government-appointed interlocutors. The 2008 statehood movement spearheaded by Gurung was brought to a close and settled on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Following the UPA government had appointed Lieutenant General Vijay Madan (retired) as the interlocutor to help normalize situations in the hills.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, the ruling dispensation in the hills and ally of the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, alleged the appointment of an interlocutor by the Centre was a conspiracy being hatched by the BJP with an eye to the 2026 election.

"In 2021 while addressing an election meeting at the Lebong ground, the Union Home Minister said he was aware of the problems and demands of the Gorkha community. Since 2009, we have given the BJP four Members of Parliament. Now we also have a Rajya Sabha MP who is a Gorkha. Have these MPs not apprised the Government about the demands of the Gorkha community? The whole exercise of appointing an interlocutor is an eyewash to hoodwink the people before the 2026 election," BGPM spokesperson Keshav Raj Pokharel said.

He asserted the BJP MPs should resign on moral grounds for their incompetence. Pokharel questioned the sincerity of the BJP despite the massive support of the Gorkha community over two decades. "If the BJP is sincere then they should immediately grant Scheduled Tribe status to the 11 left-out Gorkha communities. The BJP has wasted our years for election gains with false promises. People should now be conscious and aware of the lies and not get fooled," the BGPM spokesperson said.

Courtesy & source: Echo of India