“The GJM said that they did not want anything less than Gorkhaland. For that there would have to be a political consensus. They wanted that the next round of talks should be at the political level and for that we will have to get back to our respective governments for consultation. We have told them that we would let them know in 45 days,” Pillai said after the meeting.

Asked whether the Centre had agreed in principle to the creation of a separate Gorkhaland, Pillai said: “As of now, there is no political consensus. At the next meeting at the political level the legal aspects for the formation of a separate state will be discussed.”

The state government, which had said that it would offer more autonomy and more powers to the council, could not do so in the face of a stiff opposition from the GJM who said they would hear nothing short of Gorkhaland.

State Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakrabarti, however, did not give any details regarding the agenda of the next meeting. “The GJM wanted talks at the political level. We have to get back to our respective governments for consultation. We will take 45 days to let the GJM know whether the talks would be held, its date and venue,” said Chakrabarti, who led a four-member state government team.

The GJM said they would continue with their agitation: “We are satisfied with the outcome of the talks. And we have told them that we do not want to continue with the colonial rule of West Bengal. Because of Christmas we have given relaxation to our agitations till December 25. From December 26 our hunger strike will go on and government offices will be closed,” said Roshan Giri, spokesman for GJM who led a 16-member group in the meeting. A 24-hour bandh called by various groups opposed to the creation of Gorkhaland was observed in Siliguri, Dooars.