59-year-old Vilasrao Deshmukh, from a `village sarpanch` in Latur district to the top post (the Chief Minister of Maharashtra) for the second time, has far-reaching experience in the legislature and administration. He is known for his administrative astuteness. This member of the Congress Party had been a minister in assorted governments in Maharashtra. From 1982 to 1995, he held the portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education as well.

This vibrant, admired leader with long administrative experience, organizational skill, good rhetoric was born on 26th May 1945 at Babhalgaon in District Latur of Marathwada. He studied at M.E.S Abasaheb Garware College (Pune University) and obtained graduation in Science. He 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, he was also selected as the director of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.

To study Cooperative Movement and Agricultural Development, Shri Deshmukh had a chance to visit Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the year 1980. In 1981, he also visited West Germany, France, England, United States and Japan. He is married to Vaishalitai Deshmukh and the couple have three son i.e.Amit,Ritiesh & Dhiraj. His son Ritesh Deshmukh is a well-known Bollywood actor. Vilashrao`s hobbies include reading, classical music, volleyball and table tennis.

After he plunged into active politics, he became member of the Babhalgaon Village Panchayat during 1974-1979 and its Sarpanch from 1974 to 1976. From 1974 to 1980, he was a member of Osmanabad Zilla Parishad and Dy. 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 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. Deshmukh 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 he was re-elected to the State Legislature in the elections held. On October 18, 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. Untill 17 January 2003, Deshmukh served the post.

During the period of April 1995 to October 17, 1999, he kept himself engrossed in functioning of the Manjara Co-op.Sugar Mill. He made the Mill computerised and well equipped with a wireless system. By crushing the highest quantity of sugarcane, the Mill established a world record in 1994-95 and in 1997-98. For excellence in production and management, the Mill has won 34 awards on national and international level.

Deshmukh grounded the Manjra Charitable Trust that runs many colleges in Latur & Mumbai area.

In a surprising turn of events, Vilasrao Deshmukh was re-elected from Latur Constituency to the State Legislative Assembly in October 2004, when the Elections held. For the second time, he took oath of Chief Ministership on November 1, 2004. He led an official delegation in May 2000, as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, to U.S.A. and UK and also visited New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington and London in order to bring investment to Maharashtra.