Bengal CM writes to PM Modi opposing appointment of interlocutor for Gorkhaland issue (Lead)

IANS | October 18, 2025 5:38 PM

Kolkata, Oct 18 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday, had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the decision of the Union government to appoint former Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) and ex-Director General of the Border Security Force, Pankaj Kumar Singh, as an interlocutor for the tripartite talks over a permanent political solution to the longstanding demand for a separate Gorkhaland statehood, forking out the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, and the parts of the plans in the Terai and Dooars regions in north Bengal.

Bihar elections: Grand Alliance in disarray as allies clash on eight seats

IANS | October 18, 2025 1:24 PM

Patna, Oct 18 (IANS) Even after the first round of nominations is over, the Grand Alliance in Bihar has failed to reach a consensus on seat sharing. As a result, eight candidates from the alliance are now locked in direct contests against each other, exposing deep fissures within the opposition bloc.