Gorkhaland Demand Reignites in Darjeeling Hills Ahead of Amit Shah's Visit
The longstanding demand for Gorkhaland has resurfaced prominently in the political landscape of the Darjeeling hills, coinciding with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Siliguri on January 31. This development occurs alongside the maiden tour of Pankaj Kumar Singh, the Centre-appointed interlocutor for the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars regions, signaling renewed focus on the contentious issue.
Political Maneuvering and Electoral Context
Amit Shah's visit is strategically planned to energize BJP party workers and strengthen booth-level preparedness in the region. According to party sources, the minister will address a workers' conference in Bagdogra, highlighting the BJP's efforts to consolidate its electoral pitch through high-profile visits and administrative initiatives.
However, hill leaders are expressing dissatisfaction with what they perceive as mere symbolism. They are demanding a clear political commitment to the Gorkhaland cause, specifically urging its inclusion in the BJP manifesto for the upcoming Bengal assembly polls. The appointment of former deputy national security adviser Pankaj Kumar Singh as official interlocutor, announced by Shah himself, aims to facilitate talks on a political and permanent solution to the hill issues.
BGPM's Challenge to BJP and Interlocutor Politics
The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), an ally of the Trinamool Congress and a dominant political force in the hills, has thrown down a direct challenge to the Bengal BJP and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista. BGPM president and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Anit Thapa has criticized what he calls interlocutor politics, suggesting it has been timed for electoral gain rather than genuine resolution.
Thapa questioned the effectiveness of such appointments, recalling that an interlocutor was appointed in 2009 with no tangible outcomes. He stated, "I heard Raju Bista asking me to meet the interlocutor. What will help us achieve Gorkhaland? Meeting the interlocutor or raising the issue in Parliament?" Thapa emphasized that BJP's manifesto must first declare that Gorkhaland will be created by dividing Bengal before any engagement with the interlocutor.
MP Bista's Response and Manifesto Commitments
In response, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista clarified that BJP had included Permanent Solution for Darjeeling hills, Terai, Dooars in both the 2019 general elections and 2021 Bengal assembly polls manifestos. He asserted that the party has a proven track record of fulfilling manifesto commitments and that the interlocutor was appointed specifically to honor these promises.
Bista publicly questioned Thapa's reluctance to meet the interlocutor, asking, "Is he afraid of Kolkata? Is he afraid of Mamata Banerjee? Why is he refusing to meet the interlocutor?" He suggested that Thapa's position as GTA chief depends on TMC remaining in power in Kolkata, implying political motivations behind his stance.
Allegations of Electoral Roll Manipulation
Adding another layer to the confrontation, BGPM party colleague Vijay Kumar Rai alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being used to marginalize the Gorkha population. He claimed that even respected citizens like former MLA and ex-chairman of Darjeeling Municipality Amar Singh Rai, along with his own family members, have been summoned to SIR hearings, raising concerns about voter suppression tactics.
As the political temperature rises in the Darjeeling hills, the interplay between central government initiatives, local demands for statehood, and electoral strategies creates a complex scenario. The upcoming visits and dialogues will likely shape the trajectory of the Gorkhaland movement and influence political alignments in the region.
