Kolkata, Oct 18, 2025

A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal over the Centre’s decision to appoint Pankaj Kumar Singh, former Deputy National Security Advisor and former Director General of the Border Security Force, as interlocutor for tripartite talks on a permanent political solution to the longstanding demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

The proposed state would comprise the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, along with parts of the Terai and Dooars regions in North Bengal.

The permanent political solution also seeks the inclusion of 11 hill-based tribes from North Bengal in the scheduled caste category.

The decision has been welcomed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and two hill-based parties, namely Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the Gorkha

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