CPM fields seven-time MLA in Maharashtra

Veteran tribal leader and seven-time MLA, Jiva Pandu Gavit, has been fielded by the CPM to contest the Dindori-ST seat in Nashik district of Khandesh-North Maharashtra region.

With Gavit in fray it has become clear that the Left party will not have any seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress-NCP front.

Apart from Gavit, those in contest are NCP's Dhanraj Mahale, a former Shiv Sena MLA, and BJP's Harishchandra Chavan, who had won the seat both in 2009 and 2014 elections and is expected to be renominated to contest the same.

Gavit played a key role in the March 2018 long-march by adivasis and farmers, which took place from Nashik to Mumbai under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha.

He was one if the prominent leaders in the February 2019 agitation by farmers and adivasis.

Gavit (69), currently an MLA from Kalvan-ST seat, is one of the senior-most MLAs and in 2014 was the pro-tem speaker for the 13th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

"Gavit is going to give a tough fight to the NCP and the BJP," Left wing sources told DH on Sunday.

Known as a leader of masses, Gavit holds tremendous influence in the tribal areas of Nashik, Thane and Palghar districts.

In 1978, at the age of 29 he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

He is known to have worked hard for the rights of poor tribal people and aggressively campaigning for the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act.

The Lok Sabha elections begin on April 11.