R S Gavai takes oath as Kerala Governor

Thiruvananthapuram, July 10 (UNI) Ramkrishnan Suryabhan Gavai was today sworn-in as the 15th Governor of Kerala.

He succeeds Mr R L Bhatia who was appointed the Governor of Bihar.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and his Cabinet colleagues were among those who present at the swearing-in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here this evening.

Seventyeight-year-old Gavai who belongs to Darapur Village at Amravati in Maharashtra has an agricultural background. He is a known social activist and a reputed writer.

He was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council from 1964 to 1994, its Deputy Chairman from 1968 to 1978, and Chairman from 1978 to 1984.

He was Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council from 1986 to 1988. He was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998. He assumed office as Governor of Bihar in June 2006.

UNI CR GM LS AS2104