Manikrao Gavit's son to contest Nandurbar Lok Sabha seat as Independent

Bharat Gavit, son of octogenarian tribal Congress leader Manikrao Gavit, on Friday announced that he will contest the Nandurbar Lok Sabha constituency as an Independent candidate in upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Bharat made the announcement after Congress declared KC Padavi as its candidate from the constituency.

"The Lok Sabha elections are very important for us. If we don't contest and win, our family's role in politics will be over. So I will have to contest, no matter what happens. It is disappointing that Congress did not give us a ticket," Bharat told ANI.

Responding to a question whether Manikrao will resign from the Congress for failing to secure his nomination, Bharat said: "His blessings are with me. He is supporting my decision to go alone in Lok Sabha this time. Nothing will change even if he quits the party as he is already 84 years old. I feel his resignation from the Congress is not needed and I don't think he will resign".

Manikrao was representing the Nandurbar Lok Sabha constituency since 1981. He lost from the seat in 2014 General elections to BJP's Heena Gavit. It is believed that he was pushing for a ticket for Bharat from the reserved seat. But, the party gave the ticket to Padavi.

An office bearer of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, however, expressed confidence that the party will be able to pacify the Gavit family and will give him a chance to contest other elections in Maharashtra.