In a significant move, the Raj Bhavan announced a reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors on March 5, 2026. RN Ravi, the incumbent Governor of Tamil Nadu, is stepping down from his position, replacing CV Ananda Bose as the Governor of West Bengal. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Governor of Kerala, has been given additional charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Ravi’s resignation comes at a time when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government had expressed displeasure over his tenure. The political feud between Ravi and the state government was largely centered on delays in granting assent to bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, particularly those exempting the state from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical entrance examinations.
The DMK government had accused Ravi of sitting on multiple bills for months, prompting them to approach the Supreme Court of India. This incident sparked a wide discourse on the role of Governors and their necessity in the Indian political landscape.
Ravi’s actions also led to controversy when he dismissed Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers unilaterally following the Minister’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case. This decision caused a political uproar, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin questioning Ravi’s powers.
In January 2023, Ravi courted more controversy when he refused to read portions of the government-prepared address in the Assembly that referred to the “Dravidian model” of governance, social justice, and leaders such as BR Ambedkar and Periyar EV Ramasamy. This led to a major political row after the Assembly passed a resolution to record only the original version of the speech prepared by the government.
Another controversy erupted when Ravi repeatedly referred to Tamil Nadu as “Tamilagam” during public events, drawing criticism from the DMK and its allies who accused him of attempting to undermine the state’s identity. His comments on religion, education policy, and the role of Governors also frequently drew criticism.
With Ravi’s departure, it remains to be seen how his successor will navigate the complex political landscape in Tamil Nadu.
