Indian Gorkha Jan Shakti Front (IGJSF) central convener Ajoy Edwards has reiterated his demand for a separate administrative arrangement for Gorkhas outside West Bengal but within India, stating that neither threats nor imprisonment will deter their stand. In a press note released on Thursday, Edwards said that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has failed completely due to corruption, monopoly, and the absence of democratic processes. He claimed that opposition representatives in the GTA are not given a hearing and that the body has been functioning under the control of a single individual. Edwards criticized the decision to lease hill properties for 30 years, saying that such long-term agreements are equivalent to giving away assets permanently.
Edwards also raised concerns over worsening socio-economic conditions in the hills, stating that tea garden workers continue to earn only ₹220 per day while carpenters earn ₹800, highlighting what he called the exploitation of labour under corrupt governance. He questioned why many schools have more teachers than students and alleged massive corruption in water supply schemes, claiming that funds were allocated but water never reached households. He stated that while corruption is often associated with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, “the most corrupted place is Darjeeling itself.”
Addressing political tensions, Edwards said that Bimal Gurung was angry at him for not attending a meeting, but added that anger has no place in politics. He recalled the 105-day Gorkhaland agitation, saying that he and his party continued doing social work while senior leaders had fled the hills. After the agitation, he said, Mann Ghising invited him to join GNLF, and he joined the party after 2017 because his team had been actively serving the community during the movement.
Edwards further said that many ruling party representatives are unhappy with the GTA’s functioning and that the current state of the administration has pushed people from the hills, Terai and Dooars to demand a separate system outside Bengal. He urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not to discourage the Centre’s decision to appoint an interlocutor, calling it a “ray of hope” for a long-term political solution. With the winter session of Parliament approaching, he said they will closely observe whether the government takes steps to address the long-standing demands of the Gorkha community.
