Background
He was born in 1929 in Daryapur, Amravati.
He was born in 1929 in Daryapur, Amravati.
An agriculturist by profession and an avid wrestler, Gavai was from the state of Maharashtra. In 1998, Gavai was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha from Amravati. 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. He was sworn in as Governor of Kerala on 10 July 2008.
Gavai was a recipient of the Kusta Mitra Award, as well as the National Integration awards for peace and harmony. He was President of Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur and Doctor Babasaheb Ambedkar Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Amravati.
He died on 25 July 2015 at Nagpur.
On 7 June 2009, Gavai gave the Central Bureau of Investigation permission to prosecute Consumer price index(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 China, Burma, India Theatre of Operations to prosecute Vijayan.
The Consumer price index(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.
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. He was member of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra State April 2000 till April 2006.