Mamata Slams Centre's Gorkhaland Interlocutor Move, Cites Federalism Breach

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has unleashed a strong rebuke against the Narendra Modi-led Central government, expressing her vehement disapproval over the unilateral appointment of an interlocutor to address Gorkhaland-related issues. In a sharply worded letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi, Banerjee lambasted the move as a direct affront to the principles of federalism and a dangerous precedent that could destabilize the hard-won peace in the picturesque Darjeeling hills.

The Chief Minister’s letter articulated her profound dismay at the Centre's decision, emphasizing that such a crucial appointment, impacting a sensitive region within the state, should never have been made without prior consultation with the state government.

She underscored that law and order falls squarely within the purview of state jurisdiction, making the Centre's action a clear overreach and an infringement upon the constitutional framework that governs Centre-state relations in India.

Banerjee highlighted the delicate balance and tranquility that has prevailed in the Darjeeling hills and the Dooars region over the past decade.

She meticulously detailed the extensive efforts undertaken by the West Bengal government to foster peace, promote socio-economic development, and address the aspirations of the Gorkha community. These initiatives include the establishment of various development boards catering to different ethnic groups, ensuring inclusive growth and representation, and successfully bringing an end to the recurrent agitations that once plagued the region.

The Chief Minister cautioned that the Centre's "sudden and unilateral" decision to engage an interlocutor risks reigniting old grievances and disturbing the fragile peace.

She argued that bypassing the elected state government not only undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism but also sends a deeply unsettling message to the people of the region, potentially creating confusion and mistrust. Her letter made it clear that any attempt to negotiate with various Gorkha factions without the state's involvement would be unconstitutional and counterproductive, effectively creating parallel administrative channels and weakening the state’s authority.

This political standoff signals a renewed escalation of tensions between the Centre and the West Bengal government, particularly concerning the administration of sensitive border regions.

Mamata Banerjee's firm stance reflects her commitment to protecting the state's autonomy and ensuring that developmental and administrative initiatives in Bengal are conducted with full state consultation and approval, rather than through unilateral dictates from New Delhi. The future of Gorkhaland discussions now hangs in the balance, entangled in a constitutional debate over federal powers and regional peace.