R. S. Gavai

Gavai was born in 1929 at Daryapur, Amravati. He was an Ambedkarite and Buddhist. 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 twice Leader of the Opposition of the Legislative Council from 1986 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1991. In 1998, Gavai was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha from Amravati. In June 2006 he became the 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 Governor of Kerala, switching posts with Kerala Governor R. L. Bhatia. Gavai was a recipient of the Kusta Mitra Award, as well as the National Integration awards for peace and harmony. ==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. 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, whereas the opposition parties of the state, including Indian National Congress, welcomed the governor's decision. ==References==