New Appointment of Interlocutor for Gorkha Issues Sparks Political Debate Ahead of West Bengal Elections

KalimNews, Kalimpong | October 19, 2025 : In a move that has sparked widespread discussion across Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars, the Central Government of India has appointed Pankaj Kumar Singh, IPS (Retd.), as the interlocutor to address the long-standing issues facing the Gorkha community in these regions. Singh, who previously served as the Deputy National Security Advisor, has been entrusted with the responsibility of holding discussions with various stakeholders to find a resolution to the Gorkha issue. The announcement, made on October 18, 2025, has gained significant attention through various media platforms, including newspapers and social media channels.

However, political analysts and local leaders have been quick to question the timing of the appointment, viewing it as a calculated political move ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Since coming to power in 2014, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government has made several assurances to resolve the Gorkha issue, but many argue that these promises have yet to translate into substantial action. The decision to appoint an interlocutor is widely perceived as yet another in a series of unfulfilled political gestures aimed at securing electoral support in the region.

Critics assert that the appointment is more about garnering votes in the crucial election season than addressing the genuine concerns of the Gorkha community. "This is yet another example of political gimmickry designed to sway public opinion, not a sincere effort to resolve decades of unresolved issues," said Subhankar Sarkar, President of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee. Sarkar, who issued a statement on October 18, cautioned the people of Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars not to fall for what he referred to as "false promises." According to him, the history of the Gorkha issue shows that meaningful progress was made only under Congress-led governments.

Sarkar highlighted key milestones in the journey toward addressing the Gorkha community’s rights and demands, particularly during Congress rule. These include the recognition of Nepali as an official language in 1992, the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988, and the establishment of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in 2011. Additionally, he pointed to the passing of the Sixth Schedule provisions in 2005, although this move was opposed by opposition parties and was never implemented.

"The Congress party has consistently worked for the rights and aspirations of the Gorkha people, and we remain committed to finding a just and lasting solution," Sarkar emphasized, underscoring his party's commitment to resolving the Gorkha issue.

As the political narrative surrounding the appointment of an interlocutor continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether this move will yield any tangible results or if it will simply be another chapter in the ongoing saga of promises made and promises broken. The people of Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars, who have long been waiting for a comprehensive resolution, will undoubtedly be watching closely as this latest development plays out in the run-up to the election.

The political landscape in these regions is likely to continue to evolve, with both national and regional parties vying for the support of the Gorkha community, whose concerns have often been sidelined in the broader political discourse.