CV Ananda Bose Asked to Quit as West Bengal Governor: The Full Story Behind His Sudden Exit
By NIRENDRA DEV
Kolkata, March 7, 2026 — In a sweeping reshuffle, the Centre recently appointed three new Governors, elevated a former Lt Governor, and reassigned six Governors to different states. Yet only one name stood out for a different reason — CV Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal, was asked to resign.
While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly declared she was “shocked and deeply concerned” by the development and claimed the reasons behind Bose’s departure remained unknown to her, political insiders suggest there is far more to the story than the official narrative reveals.
Mamata Banerjee’s Reaction: Genuine Shock or Political Posturing?
Mamata Banerjee has rarely enjoyed smooth working relations with Governors appointed by the BJP-led NDA government. Her friction with Raj Bhavan occupants has been well-documented over the years.
Yet Bose’s exit prompted an unusually emphatic response from the Chief Minister — raising the question: why would she be “shocked” at the removal of a Governor she reportedly had strained relations with?
The answer may lie in what transpired in the final months of his tenure.
Amit Shah’s Role: A Handpicked Appointment Gone Wrong
CV Ananda Bose was personally handpicked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah from Kerala for the West Bengal gubernatorial post. The decision to remove him is also believed to have been driven by Shah, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly giving his approval.
According to sources, until the afternoon of March 5, Bose himself was unaware of the impending resignation. Just hours before the news broke, Raj Bhavan had issued a statement confirming the Governor’s planned visit to Darjeeling for a Hill Festival in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.
What Went Wrong: BJP’s Growing Frustration With Bose
- Perceived Softness Toward the Trinamool Government
BJP circles in West Bengal had grown increasingly critical of Bose over recent months, alleging that he had developed an overly accommodating stance toward Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Party leaders and RSS functionaries expressed dissatisfaction over his willingness to approve Mamata’s nominations for Vice Chancellors and other key appointments at state-run universities.
- Controversial Public Praise for Mamata Banerjee
At the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), Bose described Mamata Banerjee as “the artistic chief minister of a poetic state” — a remark widely seen within BJP as unnecessarily flattering toward the Trinamool leadership.
In February 2023, he had also drawn comparisons between Mamata and globally respected statesman-writers such as former Czech President Václav Havel, India’s second President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill. BJP leaders viewed these remarks as unbecoming of a constitutional authority and felt they undermined the dignity of the Governor’s office.
- The Molestation Allegation
A contractual employee of Raj Bhavan lodged a complaint with Kolkata Police alleging that she was molested by Governor Bose — a development that created significant embarrassment for the Centre. Whether the complainant acted independently or was encouraged by political forces remains a matter of debate.
- Inadequate Response to Post-Poll Violence
During the 2023 local body elections in West Bengal, at least 56 people were reported killed — a majority of them allegedly BJP supporters and workers. Party leaders contend that Bose’s response amounted to little more than strong-worded statements such as “time for action,” without any substantive intervention. In their assessment, he failed to instill accountability or any meaningful deterrent against the ruling dispensation.
The Centre’s Final Assessment
The Union Home Ministry is said to have concluded that free and fair elections — or even the effective administration of President’s Rule — would not be possible under Bose’s watch. That assessment, sources say, sealed his fate.
The marching order followed. As for Mamata Banerjee’s “shock” — once political milk spills, it cannot be bottled back.
(This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are author’s own.)
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