Hours before the swearing-in of West Bengal’s new Governor Ravindra Narayan Ravi on Thursday, outgoing Governor CV Ananda Bose stirred fresh political speculation with an emotional open letter addressed to the people of the state.
Bose’s message posted on the official X handle of Lok Bhavan on Wednesday has triggered political discussions.
In the open letter, the outgoing Governor described West Bengal as his “second home” and said his association with the state would continue despite the end of his tenure.
Bose had returned to Kolkata from Delhi earlier but did not return to Lok Bhavan.
Instead, he has been staying at the state government guest facility ‘Soujanya’, arranged by the state administration as a gesture of courtesy.
His sudden departure from office after serving as Governor for three years and four months has already led to political reactions.
During his tenure, Raj Bhavan and Nabanna were often at odds over several issues, particularly on matters relating to law and order.
Bose had repeatedly criticised the state government on governance issues, leading to a prolonged cold war between the Governor’s office and the state administration.
His resignation has come at a politically sensitive time as West Bengal moves closer to the Assembly elections.
The Centre’s decision to appoint RN Ravi, who earlier served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu and had frequent confrontations with the DMK government there, has drawn criticism from the ruling Trinamul Congress, which has questioned the intent behind the move.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier expressed concern over the developments surrounding the change in the Governor’s post.
Bose himself had added to the intrigue by saying, upon returning from Delhi, that he would reveal the reasons behind his resignation “at the right time.”
Addressing the people of the state as ‘Brothers and Sisters’ ~ Bose, in his open letter, wrote, “As my innings in Lok Bhavan, Kolkata, draws to a close, may I once again express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the support and consideration extended to me. I do cherish the moments spent in the embrace of the loving and caring people of our beloved State.”
“Though my term has come to a close, my journey in West Bengal is far from over. I shall continue to be associated with West Bengal ~ my second home ~ as it is an integral part,” he wrote, creating speculation about whether the former Governor may continue to play a role in the state in some capacity in the future.
“Several decades back, Mahatma Gandhi had said: I am not able to leave Bengal and Bengal will not let me go. Today I share that feeling. Such is the electrifying magnetism of this hallowed soil,” he wrote.
“Friends, I am sure my brothers and sisters of Bengal will reach great heights and I shall, in my humble way, contribute to that,” he wrote.