New Delhi: The Central Government has given its go-ahead for creation of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration - an autonomous body that will have greater administrative powers than the existing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.
The decision has been taken after the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) meeting and Home Minister P Chidambaram has been directed to go to Kolkata to sign the agreement with the concerned parties.
The members of the West Bengal government, the Centre and the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJM) are expected to sign the agreement on Monday.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with GJM president Bimal Gurung and other top party leaders on Sunday in this regard.
The Left has decided to stay away from the event saying the deal will spark violence and pave the way for the formation of the separate state of Gorkhaland.
Prakash Karat said the deal will spark violence and pave the way for the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
"We are not in agreement of the nature of the settlement or terms of the agreement," said Prakash Karat.
Meanwhile, a CPM-backed group has called a bandh in North Bengal in protest.
Shops in Sukna on Monday remained closed and roads were empty.
The bandh is expected to bring life to standstill in Jalpaiguri, Malda, North and South Dinajpur as well.
The people of the Terai and Dooars region are worried the pact will be detrimental to their interest.