R.N. Ravi Sworn in as West Bengal Governor; Mamata Banerjee Extends Welcome with Subtle Message

Kolkata, March 2026 : Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer and ex-Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi was sworn in as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal on Thursday in a formal ceremony in Kolkata. Soon after the oath-taking, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed him warmly but also delivered a subtle message, stating that “Bengal loves those who love Bengal.”

Following the ceremony, the Chief Minister greeted the new Governor by draping a traditional cloak around his neck as a mark of respect and hospitality. During the brief interaction, she highlighted the inclusive and culturally rich character of the state while emphasising the importance of mutual respect for Bengal and its people.

“Bengal and Bengalis respect people from all linguistic backgrounds. Everyone lives together peacefully in Bengal. But the main thing is that Bengal loves those who love Bengal. This is a characteristic of the Bengali people,” Banerjee told the newly sworn-in Governor.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Ravi acknowledged the state’s historical and cultural importance. “It is true that West Bengal is the intellectual and cultural capital of India,” he said during the exchange.

Political observers interpreted Banerjee’s statement as a carefully worded message aimed at ensuring a balanced relationship between the state government and the Raj Bhavan. According to analysts, the Chief Minister’s remarks underline the expectation that the Governor’s office should work in harmony with the state administration while respecting the interests of the state.

The comment is considered significant in the context of the often strained relationship between the West Bengal government and the Governor’s office over the past several years. During the tenure of former Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who later became the Vice President of India, the state government frequently clashed with Raj Bhavan over administrative and political issues. Similar tensions also surfaced during the tenure of Ravi’s immediate predecessor C.V. Ananda Bose.

Political observers believe Banerjee’s message was meant to signal that a cordial relationship between the state secretariat and the Governor’s office would depend on maintaining respect for the state’s interests and avoiding unnecessary confrontations.

Ravi assumed office following the sudden resignation of C.V. Ananda Bose on March 5. On the same evening that Bose stepped down, Ravi’s appointment as his successor was announced. He arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday, while Bose departed for his hometown in Kerala shortly thereafter.

With his appointment, Ravi becomes the second former Intelligence Bureau chief to serve as the Governor of West Bengal in the last one and a half decades. Prior to the crucial 2011 Assembly elections that ended the 34-year-long Left Front rule and ushered in the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, former IB chief and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan had also served as the Governor of the state.

Observers now say Ravi’s tenure will be closely watched, particularly to see how the relationship between Raj Bhavan and the state government evolves in the coming months.