West Bengal witnessed a significant political development on Thursday as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee formally welcomed the state’s newly sworn-in Governor R. N. Ravi in Kolkata. Ravi took the oath as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal after the sudden resignation of C. V. Ananda Bose last week. Bose stepped down from the post without publicly revealing the reasons behind his decision, which has triggered political speculation in the state.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at Lok Bhawan in Kolkata in the presence of Sujoy Paul, Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, who administered the oath of office. The event, however, drew attention not only for the swearing-in of the new governor but also for the notable absence of leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Key opposition figures, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, were not seen attending the ceremony, raising questions about political tensions surrounding the appointment.
After the ceremony, Mamata Banerjee met the new governor at the visitors’ room of Lok Bhawan and greeted him warmly. During the interaction, the Chief Minister delivered a brief but symbolic message that reflected her expectations for the new constitutional head of the state. She said, “Bengal loves those who love Bengal,” emphasizing the state’s cultural pride and suggesting that the governor should respect and understand Bengal’s identity and values.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Governor Ravi expressed admiration for the state’s historical and cultural importance. He said that Bengal has always been a place he deeply respects. According to Ravi, the state represents a powerful combination of spirituality, intellectual heritage and cultural richness that has influenced India for generations. His remarks appeared aimed at building a positive tone at the beginning of his tenure.
Despite the cordial exchange during the welcome meeting, the political background surrounding Ravi’s appointment remains controversial. Earlier, when his name was announced as the new governor, Mamata Banerjee had openly criticized the decision. She had accused Ravi of behaving like a “BJP cadre” during his previous tenure as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, where he frequently clashed with the state’s ruling government on administrative and legislative matters.
The Chief Minister also made serious allegations regarding the sudden resignation of former governor C. V. Ananda Bose. Mamata claimed that Bose had been pressured to step down from the position. According to her earlier statement, she believed Bose was threatened and forced to resign. She also alleged that certain political forces wanted to use Lok Bhawan, the official residence of the governor, for political purposes.
“I know everything that Bose was threatened and was asked to resign. They want to distribute money from Lok Bhavan. They want Lok Bhavan to be converted into a BJP party office,” Mamata had said previously while reacting to the development.
These statements have added another layer of political tension between the West Bengal government and the central leadership. Governors often act as constitutional links between state governments and the Union government, but in several states the relationship has become politically sensitive, especially where the ruling parties at the state and central levels are different.
With R N Ravi now assuming charge as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal, political observers will closely watch how his relationship with the Mamata Banerjee government evolves. While the initial meeting carried a tone of courtesy, past controversies and strong political differences suggest that the coming months could see further debates over governance, constitutional roles and political influence in the state.
