North Bengal Hill Solution Soon If BJP Comes To Power, Says Amit Shah

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said a long-pending political settlement for the hill regions of North Bengal would be finalised soon if the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power in the state.

Addressing a rally in Sukna in the Kurseong subdivision, Shah said a decision on the future of Gorkha-dominated areas, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, will take place by 6 May. He added that the proposed solution would reflect the aspirations of the Gorkha community.

Shah criticised both the Indian National Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress, alleging that successive governments had failed to address the concerns of Gorkha residents despite their long-standing demands. He argued that only the BJP understands the region’s issues and can resolve them most effectively.

The Home Minister also took aim at the government led by Mamata Banerjee, accusing it of neglecting development in North Bengal.

Citing budget allocations, Shah claimed the state had earmarked relatively limited funds for the region compared to spending on other sectors, suggesting this reflected an imbalance in priorities.

The Minister further alleged that previous administrations, including those led by Congress and the Left, failed to adequately protect the cultural identity and heritage of the Gorkha community.

Shah also criticised the state government for not participating in discussions convened by the Centre to address the hill issue. Multiple meetings took place during his tenure, but representatives from the West Bengal government did not attend.

Reiterating his stance, Shah said the Centre would move ahead with a solution based on its understanding of local sentiment, regardless of the state government’s involvement.

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