Veteran Dalit leader and former Governor of Bihar and Kerala R S Gavai was cremated this evening with state honours at Darapur, his native place in the district.
The mortal remains were consigned to flames in the presence of scores of supporters who bid a tearful adieu to the departed leader.
His sons Justice Bhushan Gavai, who is a Bombay High Court judge of Nagpur Bench and younger son Rajendra, a leader of Republican Party of India (Gavai faction) jointly lit the funeral pyre.
Among others who were present for the funeral were NCP leader and Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel, Rajya Sabha member and RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale, Guardian Minister Pravin Pote, former state minister Anil Deshmukh, Vasant Purke, Shivajirao Moghe and Dalit leader and MLC Jogendra Kawade.
Since last night, thousands of people made a beeline at his residence here to offer their condolences.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Chavan and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil also paid floral tributes to Gavai.
Yesterday, 86-year-old Gavai passed away at a private hospital in Nagpur after a prolonged illness.
