West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee again urges PM Modi to revoke Gorkha Hills interlocutor appointment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to reconsider the appointment of a retired IPS officer as the Interlocutor for the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills.

West Bengal CM referred to her October 18, 2025, letter urging reconsideration of the appointment of a retired IPS officer as Interlocutor for Gorkha issues.

Advertisement

Prime Minister’s Office had acknowledged the letter and advised the Home Minister to look into the matter.

Despite this, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a 10 November 2025 memo stating that the Interlocutor’s office has already started functioning.

CM Banerjee called this decision “shocking”, citing a lack of consultation with the State government.

She termed the Centre’s move unilateral, arbitrary, unconstitutional, and without jurisdiction.

The Prime Minister noted that the Darjeeling region is governed by the Gorkha Territorial Administration Act, 2011, enacted by the West Bengal Assembly and assented to by the President.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the appointment of a retired IPS officer as the Interlocutor for the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills

“The Government of West Bengal categorically rejects and strongly objects to this… pic.x.com/SvYup2qTlm

— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025

In her letter, she stated that under the Act, the competent government is explicitly defined as the Government of West Bengal, not the Centre.

She argued that the Central Government has no authority to appoint an interlocutor for issues covered under a valid State law.

The Chief Minister said that the November 10 order is ultra vires, colourable, and a malicious exercise of power.

She claimed the appointment violates the constitutional division of powers under Parts V, VI, and XI of the Constitution.

She pointed out that subjects under List II (State List) are exclusively under State jurisdiction.

She called the Centre’s action a blatant encroachment on federalism and an “assault” on West Bengal’s autonomy.

She emphasised that Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong have enjoyed peace and development since 2011 under the State government.

She noted that the Centre has provided no explanation or justification for appointing the interlocutor

She alleged that the Government of West Bengal categorically rejects and strongly objects to this unconstitutional, arbitrary, and politically coloured interference in the State’s internal affairs.

Such acts not only undermine the constitutional federal structure but also erode the spirit of unity and mutual respect that defines our democratic polity, the letter stated.

“I once again look forward to your kind intervention and request you to revoke this unconstitutional and arbitrary order,” she stated.

The list of states and union lists is found in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which divides legislative powers between the Union and State governments. The Union List contains subjects for which the Parliament can legislate, while the State List contains subjects for which state legislatures can legislate.