Vilasrao Deshmukh was born on May 26, 1945, in Babhalgaon in Latur district in present-day Maharashtra. After completing his School and College education, he went to Pune University to study law. After passing out from the University, he began to practice law. Pictures by Ajay Borade-Patil.

Vilasrao Deshmukh began his political journey as 'Sarpanch' of Babhalgaon village panchayat in 1974. Hailing from the politically dominant Maratha community, Vilasrao Deshmukh was a graduate of the ILS Law College, Pune

Vilasrao Deshmukh began his political journey as 'Sarpanch' of Babhalgaon village panchayat in 1974. Hailing from the politically dominant Maratha community, Vilasrao Deshmukh was a graduate of the ILS Law College, Pune

Vilasrao Deshmukh was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1980 and followed it up with victories in 1985 and 1990

Vilasrao Deshmukh was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1980 and followed it up with victories in 1985 and 1990

Vilasrao Deshmukh held important portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education as a minister in Maharashtra between 1982 and 1995

Vilasrao Deshmukh held important portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education as a minister in Maharashtra between 1982 and 1995

Vilasrao Deshmukh became chief minister of Maharashtra for the first time in October 1999. He continued in the post from October 18, 1999 to January 17, 2003, when he had to make way for Sushilkumar Shinde, amid growing factionalism in the state Congress

Vilasrao Deshmukh became chief minister of Maharashtra for the first time in October 1999. He continued in the post from October 18, 1999 to January 17, 2003, when he had to make way for Sushilkumar Shinde, amid growing factionalism in the state Congress

The politician from Latur won the Legislative Assembly polls in October 2004 and was sworn in as chief minister for the second time on November 1 that year

The politician from Latur won the Legislative Assembly polls in October 2004 and was sworn in as chief minister for the second time on November 1 that year

Amid mounting public outrage over the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, Vilasrao Deshmukh resigned owning moral responsibility and shifted to Delhi taking the Rajya Sabha route

Amid mounting public outrage over the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, Vilasrao Deshmukh resigned owning moral responsibility and shifted to Delhi taking the Rajya Sabha route

After Vilasrao Deshmukh entered the Rajya Sabha, he was inducted as Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and later as Minister for Rural Development. He was appointed as Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences on July 12, 2011

After Vilasrao Deshmukh entered the Rajya Sabha, he was inducted as Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and later as Minister for Rural Development. He was appointed as Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences on July 12, 2011

Vilasrao Deshmukh was accused of 'terror tourism' when he visited the fire-ravaged Taj hotel with actor son Riteish Deshmukh and filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma soon after the 26/11 carnage

Vilasrao Deshmukh was accused of 'terror tourism' when he visited the fire-ravaged Taj hotel with actor son Riteish Deshmukh and filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma soon after the 26/11 carnage

Vilasrao Deshmukh married his wife Vaishali in 1973 and has three sons - Amit Deshmukh, a former MLA in Maharashtra, Dheeraj Deshmukh and Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh

Vilasrao Deshmukh married his wife Vaishali in 1973 and has three sons - Amit Deshmukh, a former MLA in Maharashtra, Dheeraj Deshmukh and Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh

Though not an accused, Vilasrao Deshmukh was also under scanner in the Adarsh housing scam for giving various clearances to the controversial housing society as Maharashtra chief minister

Though not an accused, Vilasrao Deshmukh was also under scanner in the Adarsh housing scam for giving various clearances to the controversial housing society as Maharashtra chief minister

Manjra Charitable Trust founded by Vilasrao Deshkmukh runs various colleges in Mumbai and Latur. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology in Versova, Andheri, Mumbai and the Manajara Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital located in Latur

Manjra Charitable Trust founded by Vilasrao Deshkmukh runs various colleges in Mumbai and Latur. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology in Versova, Andheri, Mumbai and the Manajara Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital located in Latur

Vilasrao Deshmukh was diagnosed with liver and kidney failure in August 2012. Vilasrao Deshmukh was then hospitalised in Breach Candy first but was then flown to Chennai. A liver transplant from a clinically dead man was supposed to be conducted, but the man died the night before the operation could take place

Vilasrao Deshmukh passed away on August 14, 2012. Vilasrao Deshmukh's cremation took place on Independence Day in 2012 at his village in Latur called Babhalgaon

Vilasrao Deshmukh passed away on August 14, 2012. Vilasrao Deshmukh's cremation took place on Independence Day in 2012 at his village in Latur called Babhalgaon

Vilasrao Deshmukh's funeral was attended by various personalities from the political and film fraternity

Vilasrao Deshmukh's funeral was attended by various personalities from the political and film fraternity