No division of Bengal, firm on tackling situation: Minister

West Bengal Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee today ruled out any division of the state in the wake of Gorkhaland statehood demand by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in the Darjeeling hills in line with statehood to Telangana.

India may have 50 states if demands of new states conceded

"Bengal will never be allowed to be divided and the state government is determined to tackle the situation strongly," Mukherjee told reporters here.

Describing the renewed movement by the GJM demanding Gorkhaland statehood as an "irresponsible decision", Mukherjee said the movement had no support of the people in the state including many of those in the hills.

Accusing the Centre of instigating into the issue, the minister said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would act in time according to the law to control the situation and restore law and order in the hills.

"Even those taking part in this movement in the hills ultimately will realise how they have been misguided," Mukherjee observed.

The minister expressed hope that good sense would prevail and the GJM would finally withdraw their movement.