Vilasrao Deshmukh was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2008. He also served in the Union cabinet as the Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences. Vilasrao Deshmukh, a member of the Indian National Congress, is member of Rajya Sabha and represents the state of Maharashtra. He was known for his administrative astuteness. From 1982 to 1995, he held the posts of Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Panchayati Raj and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Deshmukh is from the Latur district of Marathwada in Maharashtra.

Early Life of Vilasrao Deshmukh
Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh was born on 26th May 1945 at Babhalgaon in Latur district of Marathwada. He studied at M.E.S Abasaheb Garware College, Pune University and obtained graduation in Science. Vilasrao Deshmukh did B.A and Law (L.LB.) from the ILS Law College from Pune University. From his early days as youth, he started his social activities. He was designated as the Director of Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank. In 1979, Vilasrao Deshmukh was also selected as the director of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.

Political Career of Vilasrao Deshmukh
After he plunged into active politics, Vilasrao Deshmukh became member of the Babhalgaon Village Panchayat during 1974-1979 and it`s Sarpanch from 1974 to 1976. From 1974 to 1980, he was a member of Osmanabad Zilla Parishad and Deputy Chairman of Latur Taluka Panchayat Samiti. He held the post of the President of Osmanabad District Youth Congress from 1975 to 1978. Here, he got a chance to work for the implementation of Sanjay Gandhi inspired Five Point Programme of the Youth Congress. Special efforts were made by him to organise the youth in Osmanabad district and afterwards became the President of Taluka Indian National Congress.

From 1980 to 1995, Vilasrao Deshmukh worked as the Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He handled many departments like Home, Dairy Development Fisheries, General Administration, Tourism, Cooperation, Transport, Public Works, Legislative Affairs, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Industry, Rural Development, Sports and Youth Welfare, Education, Technical Education, during his tenure as the Minister of State and the Cabinet Minister. In September 1999, from Latur Constituency Deshmukh was re-elected to the State Legislature in the elections held. On October 18th, 1999, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He had to step down in January 2003 and a prominent Dalit face of Congress, Sushilkumar Shinde following factionaries of the state unit of the party was elected for the post of chief minister. Until 17th January 2003, Deshmukh served the post.

Vilasrao Deshmukh was re-elected from Latur Constituency to the State Legislative Assembly in October 2004. He took oath as Chief Minister on November 1, 2004 for the second time. After the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Vilasrao Deshmukh resigned by taking moral responsibility. Eventually, he joined Rajya Sabha and was allotted to the Council of Ministers as Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises by Manmohan Singh in May 2009. In January 2011 Cabinet reshuffle, Deshmukh became Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and later in July 2011, he became Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences. On July 15th, 2011, Vilasrao Deshmukh was appointed as the President of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

Other Activities of Vilasrao Deshmukh
Vilasrao Deshmukh worked for the implementation of the five-point Programme of the Youth Congress. He was credited for the empowerment of Zilla Panchayats and strengthening of the Panchayati Raj System. He introduced separate policies for empowerment of the women and the youth; launched the Sant Ghadge Baba Gram Swachhata Abhiyan in Maharashtra; credited for implementation of interest subsidy scheme for farmers. He also launched the Tanta Mukti Abhiyan in Maharashtra.

Personal Life of Vilasrao Deshmukh
Vilasrao Deshmukh married Vaishali Deshmukh in 1973 and the couple have three sons together, namely, Amit Deshmukh, Ritiesh Deshmukh and Dheeraj Deshmukh. His son Amit Deshmukh is a Member of Legislative Assembly of Latur city; and Ritiesh Deshmukh is a well-known Bollywood actor.

Death of Vilasrao Deshmukh
Vilasrao Deshmukh was identified with Cirrhosis of liver in 2011. Vilasrao Deshmukh died on 14th August 2012 due to multiple organ failure. His burial took place on 15th August 2012, on the day of Independence Day of India at Babhalgaon, his village, in Latur district.