West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed concern over the resignation of C. V. Ananda Bose as the Governor of West Bengal.
The development comes just weeks before the state’s upcoming Assembly elections.
Banerjee said she was surprised by the sudden decision and questioned whether political pressure might have influenced the move.
Mamata Banerjee Suggests Possible Political Pressure
Reacting to the news, Banerjee said the exact reasons behind Bose’s resignation were not known to her. However, she indicated that the development could be linked to political considerations.
She stated that she would not be surprised if the governor had faced pressure from Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of the elections.
Banerjee also noted that she had only been informed about the decision and was not consulted beforehand. According to her, such actions depart from established constitutional conventions.
Concerns Over Federal Principles
The chief minister emphasized that decisions involving state leadership should respect India’s federal structure.
She said unilateral decisions could weaken democratic practices and urged the central government to follow the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Banerjee added that maintaining institutional dignity and transparency is essential, particularly during sensitive political periods such as elections.
Governor Reshuffle Announced by President
The development followed a major gubernatorial reshuffle announced by President Droupadi Murmu.
According to an official communiqué, R. N. Ravi has been appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal. Ravi previously served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Bose’s resignation has been formally accepted by the President.
Political Context Ahead of Elections
The change comes at a crucial time as West Bengal prepares for Assembly elections. The current Assembly’s term is scheduled to expire in early May.
During his tenure in Tamil Nadu, Ravi had several disagreements with the state government led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Those tensions often centered around legislative procedures and administrative matters.
Other Changes in the Governor Appointments
The reshuffle also included several other appointments.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a former Indian ambassador to the United States, has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s current Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has been moved to Ladakh. Kavinder Gupta, who previously served as Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, has been appointed to Himachal Pradesh.
