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West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose resigns; RN Ravi to take over

March 05, 2026 5 min read Polity & Governance GS2
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What Happened

  • C.V. Ananda Bose, the 21st Governor of West Bengal (appointed 2022), resigned from his post on 5 March 2026 via a letter to the President of India.
  • Bose stated he had "been the Governor of Bengal for three-and-a-half years" and that was "enough," but added that "the reasons will remain confidential until the right time."
  • Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has been given additional charge of West Bengal following Bose's exit. Ravi has previously served as Governor of Meghalaya and Nagaland, and as Deputy National Security Adviser.
  • Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and alleged Bose was forced to resign "under pressure" from the Union Home Minister ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections (expected April-May 2026, assembly term ending 7 May 2026).
  • The Governor-state government relationship in West Bengal has been contentious, with Banerjee publicly accusing Bose of being partisan and acting at the Centre's behest.

Static Topic Bridges

Constitutional Position of the Governor: Articles 153-162

The Governor is the constitutional head of a state, appointed by the President under Article 155 and holding office during the President's pleasure under Article 156. The Constitution does not specify grounds for removal, making the Governor's tenure entirely dependent on the Centre's discretion -- a feature that has generated significant constitutional debate.

  • Article 153: There shall be a Governor for each State. Proviso (7th Amendment, 1956): The same person can be appointed Governor of two or more states.
  • Article 155: The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
  • Article 156(1): The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
  • Article 156(3): Term of five years, subject to the pleasure of the President.
  • Article 157: Qualifications -- must be a citizen of India and have completed 35 years of age.
  • Article 158: Governor shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or State Legislature, shall not hold any office of profit.
  • Article 159: Oath of office -- to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law.
  • Article 161: Power to grant pardons -- Governor can pardon, reprieve, respite, or remit punishment for offences against state laws.
  • Article 163: Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Governor, except where the Constitution requires the Governor to exercise discretion.

Connection to this news: The resignation and replacement of Bose illustrates the "pleasure doctrine" under Article 156, where governors serve at the Centre's will, and how gubernatorial transitions are often linked to changing political equations between the Centre and the state.

Governor-State Conflicts and Centre-State Relations

The office of the Governor has been a frequent flashpoint in Indian federalism. Governors appointed by the Centre have often clashed with state governments led by opposition parties, leading to accusations of partisan conduct and misuse of discretionary powers.

  • Sarkaria Commission (1988): Recommended that the Governor should be a detached figure, not from the appointing party, and should be given a fixed five-year tenure with removal only through impeachment-like proceedings.
  • Punchhi Commission (2010): Reiterated Sarkaria Commission recommendations. Proposed that Governor removal should follow an impeachment procedure similar to the President, with necessary modifications, rather than the discretionary "pleasure" of the President.
  • B.P. Singhal v. Union of India (2010): Supreme Court held that the President's power to remove Governors cannot be exercised arbitrarily. The Union Government must be able to show cogent material to justify removal. However, the court clarified that this power is not justiciable in the sense of requiring the Government to "prove" its case.
  • Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India (2006): SC struck down the dissolution of the Bihar Assembly by the Governor as unconstitutional, holding that the Governor cannot act on the Centre's political agenda.
  • Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016): SC ruled that the Governor cannot act at the Centre's behest to destabilise a duly elected state government and that discretionary powers are limited.

Connection to this news: The West Bengal situation -- with allegations of forced resignation ahead of state elections, appointment of a Governor perceived as politically aligned, and the state CM's public complaints of partisanship -- encapsulates the persistent constitutional tensions around the Governor's role that the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions sought to address.

Article 356 and Governor's Role During Elections

The Governor plays a critical role during the election cycle in a state, particularly in the transition period when the assembly's term is ending and elections are due. The Governor's report to the President under Article 356 can trigger President's Rule, and the Governor's role in inviting government formation post-election has been contentious.

  • Article 356: President's Rule can be imposed if the President is satisfied, on receipt of the Governor's report or otherwise, that the governance of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
  • S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Landmark 9-judge bench decision holding that Article 356 is subject to judicial review, the Governor's report is not conclusive, and the floor of the House is the only test for majority -- not the Governor's subjective assessment.
  • The Governor's discretionary powers under Article 163 include inviting the party or coalition with the best claim to form government, but the Supreme Court has consistently held that this discretion must be exercised objectively.
  • During dissolution: If the assembly is dissolved before its term ends, the Governor administers the state with a caretaker government until elections; President's Rule under Article 356 can also be imposed if necessary.

Connection to this news: With West Bengal elections due in April-May 2026, the gubernatorial transition raises questions about the incoming Governor's role in overseeing the election period, potential government formation disputes, and the constitutional safeguards established by the S.R. Bommai judgment.

Key Facts & Data

  • Article 155: Governor appointed by the President.
  • Article 156: Governor holds office during President's pleasure; term of 5 years.
  • Article 157: Minimum age for Governor -- 35 years; must be an Indian citizen.
  • Sarkaria Commission (1988): Recommended fixed tenure, removal by impeachment, Governor from outside the state.
  • Punchhi Commission (2010): Endorsed Sarkaria recommendations, proposed impeachment-like removal process.
  • B.P. Singhal v. Union of India (2010): Governor removal cannot be arbitrary; cogent material required.
  • S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Article 356 subject to judicial review; floor test is the true majority test.
  • Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016): Governor cannot act to destabilise elected governments.
  • C.V. Ananda Bose: 21st Governor of West Bengal, appointed 2022, resigned 5 March 2026.
  • R.N. Ravi: Former Deputy NSA; previously Governor of Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.
  • West Bengal Assembly term ends: 7 May 2026.