Governor RN Ravi Visits Kalighat After Bengal Election Results, Avoids Political Comment

May 05, 2026: The newly appointed Governor of West Bengal, RN Ravi, visited the Kalighat Temple along with his wife on the morning after the counting of votes in the Bengal elections. The visit came immediately after the announcement of results, which made it a subject of political discussion. The Governor was seen wearing a traditional dhoti and Punjabi, reflecting Bengali cultural attire, as he offered prayers at the temple. His wife also accompanied him during the visit, and the couple spent time at the temple premises in a devotional setting.

During his visit, the Governor clearly avoided any political remarks when asked by journalists. He stated, “I will not say anything about politics. I have come here to worship my mother.” His response indicated that the visit was purely religious in nature. However, the timing of the visit, coming just after the election results, drew attention in political and media circles, with many observers linking it to the larger political atmosphere in the state.

Earlier visits to Kalighat and cultural significance

This was not the first time the Governor visited the Kalighat Temple. Earlier, he had also offered prayers at the temple on the occasion of Poila Boishakh, a culturally important day for Bengalis marking the Bengali New Year. On that visit as well, he was accompanied by his wife and participated in the rituals. These repeated visits highlight his engagement with local cultural and religious traditions in West Bengal.

Governor Shri R. N. Ravi along with his spouse Smt. Laxmi Ravi, had darshan and offered Puja to Maa Kali at the Kalighat Kali Temple, praying for the well-being of the people and the progress and prosperity of West Bengal. #MaaKali #Kalighat #GovernorRavi #LokBhavan pic.twitter.com/JH1QkcAmAx

— Lok Bhavan, West Bengal (@lokbhavan_wb) May 5, 2026

Address at Lok Bhavan and call for change

Before the election results, the Governor also made remarks at a programme held at Lok Bhavan. During his address, he spoke about the economic situation of the state and referred to the GDP growth rate while describing the condition as “pathetic.” He urged the younger generation to take part in bringing positive change and said, “Pledge to be positive. Be a part of the change. We have to restore glory and bring improvement. When the country is moving forward, Bengal cannot be left behind.”

Following these remarks, political tension in the state continued to rise. The comments made at Lok Bhavan were seen as politically significant by various groups. Shortly after this, Mamata Banerjee, without naming the Governor directly, made a sharp remark at a public event in Islampur, referring to him as “Latsaheb,” which further intensified the political exchange.

Against this background, the Governor’s visit to Kalighat Temple after the election results has drawn considerable attention. While he maintained that the visit was purely devotional and not political, its timing, combined with earlier statements and ongoing political exchanges, has made it a topic of discussion in West Bengal’s political circles.