Nanasaheb Purohit

Digambar Vinayak Purohit (28 May 1907 – 1994), alias Nana Purohit or Nanasaheb Purohit, was an Indian socialist politician and freedom fighter from Mahad, Kolaba region. Purohit led militant struggles during the struggle for Indian Independence, and was a long-time parliamentarian.

Personal life Purohit hailed from the Mahar community. He became involved in social work in his twenties. Five people were killed in a firing during the capture, including one government officer. Afterwards, Purohit managed to escape from the police net. He relocated to Karachi. During this period, he worked under instructions from the socialist leadership in Poona, with Achyut Patwardhan as the central figure. Patwardhan tasked him with organizing the movement in Karachi.

Janjira struggle In 1948, Purohit organized, along with Mohan Dharia, a people's army to liberate the nearby Janjira state. The government included Purohit (Prime Minister), Sadashiv Bagaitdar (Home Minister), Mohan Dharia (Foreign Minister) and Janardan Bhokre (Defense Minister). He stood as a Socialist Party candidate. At the time, he argued for nationalizations of key industries and the building of a third camp in world politics. As of 1961, Purohit was the deputy leader of the PSP in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. However, he was defeated in the Shriwardhan constituency in the 1962 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election by the Indian National Congress candidate Abdul Rahim A. Gafoor Antulay. Purohit finished second with 7,475 votes (25.76%).

Purohit returned to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1972 and was elected a Socialist Party candidate from Mahad with 27,737 votes (55.32%). In the 1978 assembly election, Purohit won the Mahad seat as a Janata Party candidate. He obtained 37,413 votes (60.03%).