Vilasrao Deshmukh is the present Minister of Earth Sciences and Minister of Science and Technology. He has previously held the position of Chief Minister of Maharashtra, for 2 times, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2008. Deshmukh was also the Minister of Rural Development, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Vilasrao Deshmukh, a member of the Indian National Congress, is member of Rajya Sabha and represents the state of Maharashtra. He is known for his administrative astuteness. From 1982 to 1995, he held the portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education as well. 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 District Latur of Marathwada. He studied at M.E.S Abasaheb Garware College (Pune University) and obtained graduation in Science. 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 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. 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.

During the period of April 1995 to October 17th, 1999, Vilasrao Deshmukh 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 and 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 for Chief Minister on November 1, 2004. Deshmukh 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.

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.

Personal Life of Vilasrao Deshmukh
Vilasrao Deshmukh is married to Vaishali Deshmukh and the couple have three sons together, namely, Amit, Ritiesh and Dheeraj. His son Amit Deshmukh is a MLA of Latur city; where as Ritiesh Deshmukh is a well-known Bollywood actor.