R. S. Gavai
Ramkrishnan Suryabhan Gavai (30 October 1929 – 25 July 2015) was an Indian politician who was Governor of Bihar from 2006 to 2008 and Governor of Kerala from 10 July 2008 to 25 August 2011.
Life and career
He was born in 1929 in Daryapur, Amravati.[1] An agriculturist by profession and an avid wrestler, Gavai was from the state of Maharashtra. From 1964 to 1994, he was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council; during that time, he was Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council from 1968 to 1978, Chairman from 1978 to 1984, and Leader of the Opposition of the Legislative Council from 1986 to 1988.[2]
In 1998, Gavai was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha from Amravati.[2] He was member of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra State April 2000 till April 2006.[3] In June 2006 he became Governor of Bihar. He was the acting Governor of Sikkim from 13 July 2006 to 12 August 2006. On 26 June 2008, Gavai was instead appointed as Governor of Kerala, switching posts with Kerala Governor R. L. Bhatia.[2] He was sworn in as Governor of Kerala on 10 July 2008.[4]
Gavai was a recipient of the Kusta Mitra Award, as well as the National Integration awards for peace and harmony.[2] He was President of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Amravati.[1] He died on 25 July 2015 at Nagpur. He is survived by wife Kamaltai and two sons Bhushan Gavai, a judge at the Bombay High Court, Rajendra Gavai, a prominent political leader and daughter Kirti.[5]
Overruling of AG's advice in Lavalin case
On 7 June 2009, Gavai gave the Central Bureau of Investigation permission to prosecute CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary and former Kerala Electricity Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC-Lavalin case.[6] This became controversial as he ignored the advice of the Advocate General not to allow the CBI to prosecute Vijayan. The CPI(M) termed Gavai's decision as unfortunate and politically motivated,[7] whereas the opposition parties of the state, including Indian National Congress, welcomed the governor's decision.
References
- 1 2 "Biographical Sketch Member of Parliament 12th Lok Sabha". Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "R.S. Gavai is new Kerala Governor", The Hindu, 27 June 2008.
- ↑ "Alphabetical List Of Former Members Of Rajya Sabha Since 1952". Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ↑ "R S Gavai sworn in as Kerala Governor", IST, PTI (The Times of India), 10 July 2008.
- ↑ "R S Gavai, veteran Ambedkarite leader, dies at 86". The Indian EXPRESS, New Delhi. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ↑ http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/08/stories/2009060858300100.htm
- ↑ http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/08/stories/2009060860491200.htm