Governor – R N Ravi Arrives in Kolkata Ahead of Oath as West Bengal Governor

Governor – R. N. Ravi reached Lok Bhavan in Kolkata on Wednesday evening, only a few hours after the outgoing Governor departed the city earlier in the day. His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s constitutional administration, following the Centre’s unexpected decision to appoint him as the Governor of West Bengal.

Ravi is scheduled to take the oath of office on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor that was formerly known as Raj Bhavan. The ceremony is expected to be attended by senior state leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, who has also been invited to the event.

Subheading: Sudden Change in Governor’s Office

The appointment comes shortly after the Union government removed C. V. Ananda Bose from the post nearly 20 months before the completion of his scheduled term in 2027. Bose had served as the Governor of West Bengal for about three and a half years before the abrupt change was announced.

The decision to replace Bose with R. N. Ravi has drawn attention across political circles in the state. Observers say the timing of the move is notable, as West Bengal is preparing for Assembly elections expected to take place in April.

Subheading: Political Reactions from State Leadership

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly criticised the Centre’s decision and raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Bose’s removal. Speaking at a gathering of supporters from the All India Trinamool Congress at Esplanade Metro Channel, Banerjee alleged that the change in the Governor’s office was not routine.

According to the Chief Minister, pressure from the central government played a role in Bose stepping down before completing his tenure. She also expressed apprehension that the Governor’s residence could be used for political purposes in the period leading up to the Assembly elections.

Banerjee stated that the people of West Bengal would closely watch the developments. She also described Ravi as someone politically aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party, indicating that relations between the state government and the Governor’s office could become more strained in the coming months.

Subheading: Allegations and Political Tensions

During her address, Banerjee alleged that efforts were being made to influence political activities in the state through the Governor’s office. She claimed that Bose had been compelled to leave his position earlier than planned and suggested that the Centre intended to strengthen its political presence in the state ahead of the elections.

The Chief Minister also referred to Ravi’s tenure in another state, arguing that his past actions had created tensions with the elected government there. Her remarks signal the possibility of continued friction between the state administration and the newly appointed Governor.

Despite the criticism, the constitutional process of the oath ceremony is set to proceed as scheduled, and officials have made preparations for the formal transition at Lok Bhavan.

Subheading: R. N. Ravi’s Professional Background

R. N. Ravi brings decades of administrative and security experience to his new role. A retired officer of the Indian Police Service from the 1976 batch, he has served in several key national institutions throughout his career.

Before entering gubernatorial service, Ravi worked in both the Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation, where he held significant investigative and intelligence responsibilities. His career also included a role as Deputy National Security Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat.

Following his retirement from active service, Ravi was appointed Governor of Meghalaya. He later assumed charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, a position he continues to hold while now taking on responsibilities in West Bengal as well.

With his arrival in Kolkata and the oath ceremony scheduled for Thursday, the focus now shifts to how the new Governor will engage with the state government and navigate the political landscape in the months leading up to the Assembly elections.