Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh was a prominent Indian politician who first held the position of Chief Minister of Maharashtra before joining the Indian government as a Union minister.
Born in Babhalgaon, Maharashtra's Latur district, on May 26, 1945, he started his political career at the local level, rising to the position of head (sarpanch) of his village council in 1974.
Before moving up to a higher position, he served in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and held a number of significant ministries, including revenue, agriculture, and home.
Deshmukh held the position of Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice, from November 2004 to December 2008 and from October 1999 to January 2003.
He was renowned for his abilities to oversee coalition politics in the state and for encouraging rural development during his term. He resigned following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, accepting moral responsibility for the alleged security failings. Later, he entered national politics through the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament).
Under the United Progressive Alliance administration, Deshmukh was named Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Rural Development, Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences. He was regarded as a reliable leader with friends from both parties and worked on a number of important projects.
After fighting cancer, Deshmukh died on August 14, 2012, following multiple organ failure at a Chennai hospital. Leaders in India expressed sorrow over the passing of a seasoned politician and administrator, and his death was universally lamented.
On this Special Report, India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai discusses the significant political vacuum created by the sudden demise of NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Sardesai describes the event as a 'body blow to the Pawar family' and notes that without Ajit Pawar's organizational abilities, the NCP faces a major leadership crisis. The discussion highlights Ajit Pawar's legacy as a 'son of the soil' and an institution builder who transformed Baramati into a model of development with agricultural and biotech universities. Sardesai reflects on the turbulent history of Maharashtra politics, mentioning other leaders like Vilasrao Deshmukh and Gopinath Munde who passed away in their prime. He also explores the potential future of the NCP, suggesting that Rohit Pawar might take on a greater role as Sharad Pawar, at 85, searches for a successor to manage the state's complex political landscape and emerging power equations within the Mahayuti alliance.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up Union Minister of Heavy Industries Vilasrao Deshmukh for interfering in the enforcement of law to regulate private money lending in Maharashtra during his tenure as the chief minister.
Both BJP and Shiv Sena leaders march to Raj Bhawan seeking immediate dimissal of Ashok Chauhan and his govt.
Lt Gen. G.S. Sihota, former commander of the Pune-based southern Army command, owns a flat in the Adarsh housing society.
