This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Tagged since March 2009. It may need to be rewritten entirely to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since April 2009. It may have been edited by a contributor who has a close connection with its subject. Tagged since March 2009.

Narayan Rane (Marathi: नारायण राणे, b. 10 April 1952) is an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is currently the Minister for Industry, Port, Employment and Self-employment in the Government of Maharashtra. He was a member of Shiv Sena and also opposition leader of Vidhan Sabha until July 2005 and also, then he joined Indian National Congress party.

Political Journey[link]

Narayan Rane joined Shivsena in his early twenties,and started his political journey as local Shakha Pramukh and then Councillar of Mumbai and then later went on to become chief minister of Maharashtra. Due to dispute between him and Shivsena working president Uddhav Thackeray, Narayan Rane left Shiv Sena on 3 July 2005 and also resigned from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly soon. He later joined the Indian National Congress and was made the Revenue Minister of Maharashtra, often perceived as a powerful ministry. Rane sought re-election from his Malvan seat in the Konkan region on a Congress ticket and won with a lead of over 50,000 votes despite a well-fought and organised campaign by the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena candidate Parshuram Uparkar even lost his deposit. It was first time in the history of Shivsena that the rebel had won. There is considerable rift between him and their allies from nationalist congress party on various issues. These were more apparent during local body elections in 2011.

Suspension From Indian National Congress[link]

In the wake of Mumbai attacks in 2008 Vilasrao Deshmukh, then Chief Minister of Maharashtra was removed from Chief Ministerial Post and Ashok Chavan was made Chief Minister. As soon as Ashok Chavan was made Chief Minister, Rane protested against Congress Party and its Senior Leaders resulting in suspension from Congress for six years. Later Rane apologize to Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi and was later inducted back into Congress Party and was made Minister for Industry of Maharashtra.

Newspaper Prahaar[link]

Narayan Rane launched the Marathi daily Prahaar on 8 October 2008, under the banner of Rane Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. While he serves as the Consulting Editor, veteran journalist Mahesh Mhatre is the editor of the newspaper. In two years, Prahaar has emerged as one of the most widely read Marathi dailies. Speaking about the newspaper, Rane said a newspaper was a powerful weapon of public awareness and revolution and that he wanted to use it for the development of Maharashtra. In the signed editorial carried on the front page of his newspaper, Rane stated, “I am a politician. I had the honour of occupying several political positions over the past 40 years. I had to join the Congress after working for 39 years in the Shiv Sena. I feel it is the play of destiny in my life.”

Election to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly[link]

• 1990–1995
• 1995–1999
• 1999–2004
• 2004-2005(After Resignation from Shiv Sena
• 2005-2009(by-election On Joining Congress)
• 2009–Present

Offices Held[link]

• 1996–1999 Minister of Revenue, Dairy Development, Animal husbandry, Fisheries, Khar lands, Special assistance & rehabilitation.
• 1999 Chief Minister of Maharashtra State
• 2005–2008 Minister of Revenue
• 2009– Minister of Industries, Revenue

References[link]

http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/20/stories/2010112065611200.htm

Bal Thackeray
Founder and chief of the Shiv Sena
Personal details
Born	(1926-01-23) 23 January 1926 (age 86)[1] Mumbai, Pune, Maharashtra[2]
Political party	Shiv Sena
Spouse(s)	Mina Thackeray
Children	Bindumadhav Thackeray Jaidev Thackeray Uddhav Thackeray
Residence	Mumbai, India
As of May 4, 2008

Bal Keshav Thackeray^[1] ([ʈʰakəɾe]; born 23 January 1926^[1]), popularly known as Hinduhriday Samraat Balasaheb Thackeray, is an Indian politician, founder and chief of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu nationalist, and Marathi ethnocentric party active mainly in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

Born in Pune, Thackeray began his professional career as a cartoonist with the English language daily the The Free Press Journal in Mumbai, but left it in 1960 to form his own political weekly Marmik. His political philosophy was largely shaped by his father Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, a leading figure in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement (United Maharashtra movement), which advocated the creation of a separate linguistic state of Maharashtra. Through Marmik, he campaigned against the growing influence of Gujaratis, Marwaris, and southern Indians in Mumbai.^[1] In 1966, Thackeray formed the Shiv Sena party to advocate more strongly the place of Maharashtrians in Mumbai's political and professional landscape. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Thackeray built the party by forming temporary alliances with nearly all of Maharashtra's political parties.^[3]

A controversial figure, Thackeray has attracted significant attention by making statements expressing admiration for Hitler as an artist and demagogue, while condemning the Holocaust, inciting violence against Muslims, expressing support for the LTTE, and taking strong stances on the aspects of popular culture, including fervent opposition to the celebration of Valentine's Day.^[3]

Early life and career[link]

He was born to Keshav Sitaram Thackeray (also known as Prabodhankar Thackeray because of his articles in his fortnightly magazine named Prabodhan or 'Enlightenment') in a lower-middle class, Marathi family. Keshav Thackeray was a progressive social activist and writer who was against caste biases and played a key role in the Samyukta Maharashtra Chalwal (literally, United Maharashtra Movement) in the 1950s to form the Marathi-speaking state of Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital. Shiv sainiks called them 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' with love (Emperor of Hindu's heart)

Bal Thackeray started his career as a cartoonist in the Free Press Journal in Mumbai.^[4] His cartoons were also published in the Sunday edition of The Times of India. In 1960, he launched a cartoon weekly Marmik with his brother.^[4] He used it to campaign against the growing numbers of and influence of non-Marathi people in Mumbai targeting Gujaratis and South Indian labor workers.^[4]

He formed the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966 with the intent of fighting for the rights of the natives of the state of Maharashtra (called Maharashtrians).^[5] The early objective of the Shiv Sena was to ensure job security for Maharashtrians competing against immigrants from southern India, Gujaratis and Marwaris.^[6]

In 1989, the Sena's newspaper Saamna was launched.^[7]

Politically, the Sena was anti-communist, and wrested control of major trade unions in Mumbai from the Communist Party of India and demanded protection money(extortion) from mainly Gujarati and marwari business leaders. It later allied itself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the common issue of Hindu Nationalism which both parties believed in. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine won the 1995 Maharashtra State Assembly elections and came to power. During the tenure of the government from 1995 to 1999, Thackeray was nicknamed 'remote control' since he played a major role in government policies and decisions from behind the scenes.

On July 28, 1999 Bal Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years from December 11, 1999 till December 10, 2005 on the recommendations of the Election Commission.^[8] After the six-year voting ban on Bal Thackeray was lifted in 2005, he voted for the first time in the 2006 BMC elections.^[9]

Thackeray has claimed that the Shiv Sena has helped the Marathi manoos (the Marathi commoner) in Mumbai and also fought for the rights of Hindu people,Thackeray is a staunch Hindu and believes that Hindus must be organised to struggle against those who oppose their identity and religion.^[10] especially in the public sector.^[11] Opposition leftist parties allege that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve the problem of unemployment facing a large proportion of Maharashtrian youth during its tenure, in contradiction to its ideological foundation of 'sons of the soil.'^[12]

Controversies[link]

In 2002, Thackeray issued a call to form Hindu suicide squads to counter alleged Muslim violence:

If such suicide squads are formed only then can we take on perpetrators of mindless violence.^[13]

In reaction to Thackeray’s call, Maharashtra government registered a case against him for inciting enmity between different groups.^[14]

Asia Times further reported on Thackeray’s rhetoric:

'to take the Muslims head on'. 'Trouble-making Muslims should be wiped out from the country... kick out the four crore [40 million] Bangladeshi Muslims and then the country will be secure', the Shiv Sena leader said. Urging Hindus to start calling India 'Hindu rashtra' (Hindu nation), he maintained that only 'our religion Hinduism is to be honored here' and then 'we will look after other religions'.^[15]

At least two organizations founded and managed by the retired Indian Army officers namely Lt Col (retired) Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Ge. P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Western Command), answered Bal Thackeray’s call to set up the suicide squads in India. Lt Gen. Hoon claimed, Thackeray instructed him to set up the training camps through his writings and inflammatory articles.^[16]

Thackeray continues to publish inflammatory editorials in his party's newsletter, Saamana (Confrontation).

In February 2010, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's film My Name Is Khan was opposed by Bal Thackeray and his party members for the former's remarks supporting cultural interaction between Indians and Pakistanis help build friendly relations between the two nations. This especially created a furore since it was unofficially decided by most people in India to not allow Pakistanis to work in India due to the ramprant terror attacks carried out on Indian Soil by militants sponsored by Pakistani elements.^[17][18]

Views on Muslims[link]

Thackeray's views have typically been highly anti-Muslim. He is usually attacking them and occasionally sympathizing with them. He has declared that he is 'not against every Muslim, but only those who reside in this country but do not obey the laws of the land.... I consider such people traitors.'^[19] His party is viewed as being anti-Muslim, though Shiv Sainiks officially reject this accusation.^[20] When explaining his views on Hindutva, he has conflated Islam with violence and has called for Hindus to 'fight terrorism and fight Islam'.^[21] In an interview in Suketu Mehta's book 'Maximum City', he advocates the hanging of Indian Muslims who indulge in terrorism and mass expulsion of Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from India.

In the 1980s he had stated that:

'"They [Muslims] are spreading like a cancer and should be operated on like a cancer. The... country should be saved from the Muslims and the police should support them [Hindu Maha Sangh] in their struggle just like the police in Punjab were sympathetic to the Khalistanis.'^[22]

Balasaheb Thackeray criticized and challenged Indian Muslims through his party newspaper, Sāmna, around the time the 16th century Babri Masjid was demolished by members of the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the northern town of Ayodhya, on December 6, 1992. Hindus believe that the Babri Mosque was built on the demolished ruins of a Hindu temple in the 16th century, and consider it to be the Ram Janmabhoomi (birthplace of the Hindu God Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, one of the Trimurti of the Hindu Pantheon). The communal riots that followed the demolition of the mosque led to nearly a 1000 deaths and many enquiry committees constituted by the government have accused Shiv Sena and Thackeray of being involved in and coordinating the riots. Thackeray however has shown no regret and feels that he is proud of what he and his partymen did back in those days because he feels that if it was not for the Shiv Sena then no one would have been able to control the Muslims after the demolition of the mosque.

However, in an interview in 1998, he claims to have tempered his stance on many issues that the Shiv Sena had with Muslims, particularly regarding the Babri Mosque or Ram Janmabhoomi issue,^[23] saying:

'We must look after the Muslims and treat them as part of us.'^[23]

Although 10 years later in 2008, he wrote:

'Islamic terrorism is growing and Hindu terrorism is the only way to counter it. We need suicide bomb squads to protect India and Hindus'.^[24]

He has since made more inflammatory statements regarding Muslims, and reiterated his desire for Hindus to unite across linguistic barriers and to see 'a Hindustan for Hindus' and to 'bring Islam in this country down to its knees'.^[25]

However, he has also expressed admiration for Muslims in Mumbai in the wake of the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalists. In response to threats made by the leader of the Samajwadi Party that accusations of terrorism directed at Indian Muslims would bring about communal strife, Thackeray said that the unity of Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) in the wake of the terrorist attacks was 'a slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi' and that Thackeray 'salute(s) those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' silence on July 18 to mourn the blast victims'.^[26]

Views on people from Uttar Pradesh & Bihar[link]

On March 6, 2008, Bal Thackeray issued an editorial titled Ek Bihari, Sau Bimari^[27] (One Bihari, Hundred maladies)^[28] in Saamna, Shiv Sena's political mouthpiece, saying Biharis were 'an unwanted lot' in the Maharashtra. In what was termed as an apparent bid to recapture his party's Marathi sons of soil plank, which was being hijacked by the MNS leader Raj Thackeray, Bal Thackeray wrote about Biharis,^[29]

'They [Biharis] are not wanted in southern India, Assam and also Punjab and Chandigarh. The Biharis have antagonised local population wherever they had settled. The UP-Bihari MPs have shown their ingratitude towards Mumbai and Maharashtra with an anti-Marathi tirade in Parliament.'^[29]

He also denounced Bihari MPs, saying they were 'spitting in the same plate from which they ate' by criticising Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians. He also wrote, 'They are trying to add fuel to the fire that has been extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars have rotten brains'. Additionally, he criticized a major holiday celebrated by people from Bihar, and eastern UP which happens six days after the Hindu New Year (Diwali) known as Chath Pooja. He said that it wasn't a real holiday.^[30] The outburst was apparently in response to MPs from Bihar who had disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha in protest against the attacks on North Indians.^[30]

Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, demanded that the Prime Minister and the Centre intervene in the matter immediately. The Saamna editorial prompted at least 16 Lok Sabha MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the RJD, JD (U), SP and the Congress, to give notice for breach of privilege proceedings against Bal Thackeray.^[30] After the matter was raised in the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said: 'If anybody has made any comment on our members’ functioning in the conduct of business in the House, not only do we treat that with the contempt that it deserves, but also any action that may be necessary will be taken according to procedure and well established norms. Nobody will be spared.'^[30]

On March 27, 2008 in protest against Balasaheb Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in Delhi resigned citing its 'outrageous conduct' towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced that they will form a separate party.^[31] Addressing a press conference Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the decision to leave the party was taken because of the 'partial attitude' of the party high command towards Maharashtrians. 'Shiv Sena is no different from Khalistan and Jammu and Kashmir militant groups which are trying to create a rift between people along regional lines. The main aim of these forces is to split our country. Like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned North Indians and treated them inhumanely', he said.^[31][32]

Admiration of Hitler[link]

Thackeray^[33][34] has attracted controversy for his praise of Adolf Hitler.

Apparently he was quoted by Asiaweek as saying:

'I am a great admirer of Hitler, and I am not ashamed to say so! I do not say that I agree with all the methods he employed, but he was a wonderful organizer and orator, and I feel that he and I have several things in common.... What India really needs is a dictator who will rule benevolently, but with an iron hand.' [2]

In an interview with the Indian Express that was printed on January 29, 2007, Thackeray remarked,

Hitler did very cruel and ugly things. But he was an artist, I love him (for that). He had the power to carry the whole nation, the mob with him. You have to think what magic he had. He was a miracle.... The killing of Jews was wrong. But the good part about Hitler was that he was an artist. He was a daredevil. He had good qualities and bad. I may also have good qualities and bad ones. [3]

However, in the Star Talk talk show on channel Star Plus, he claimed himself not to admire Hitler.^[35]

Valentine's Day protests[link]

Boycotting shops and restaurants that allow young people to celebrate the Western holiday of Valentine's Day, interpreted as bestial, indecent and a-Bharatiya (un-Indian) by Thackeray, is one of his recent actions. These boycotts have often culminated in violence and the destruction of those shops.

On February 14, 2006, Balasaheb Thackeray condemned and apologized for the violent attacks of Shiv Sena members upon a private Valentine's Day celebration in Mumbai. 'It is said that women were beaten up in the Nallasopara incident. If that really happened, then it is a symbol of cowardice', Thackeray said, 'I have always instructed Shiv Sainiks that in any situation women should not be humiliated and harassed.'[4] Thackeray and the Shiv Sena remain opposed to Valentine's Day celebrations, although they may support an 'Indian alternative'.[5] However, in some cases, the Sena has been more tolerant during Valentine's Day celebrations and consider itself self appointed cultural pride ^[36]

Threats for the Final match of ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament[link]

Just before the "ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament" begins, Manohar Joshi, a senior leader of Shiv Sena, announced that, if the Pakistan team reaches the final (scheduled in Mumbai), Bal Thackeray will decide whether to allow them to play or not.^[37]

Cultural references[link]

Thackery is satirized in Salman Rushdie's novel The Moor's Last Sigh as 'Raman Fielding'. Suketu Mehta interviews Thackeray in his critically acclaimed, Pulitzer-nominated, non-fiction 2004 book Maximum City. The Sarkar (film) series is reportedly based on the Thackeray family and this idea was furthered in the second film in which the character of Sanjay Somji was expected to represent Raj Thackeray.

See also[link]

• Shiv Sena
• Hindutva
• Babri Mosque
• Saamna

References[link]

External links[link]

• Profile by BBC dated July 19, 2000 referring to him as the "uncrowned monarch of Maharashtra"
• "Bal Thackeray: The Tiger who can't be tamed" - HindustanTimes.com article dated September 8, 2004
• Shiv Sena Informational piece circulated during the 2004 election year
• [6]

Esha Deol
Born	Esha Dharmendra Deol (1981-11-02) 2 November 1981 (age 30) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Education	Mithibai College
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2002–present
Partner	Bharat Takhtani (fiance)

Esha Deol (born 2 November 1981) is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. She made her acting debut in Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe that won her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award (2002). She later appeared in several commercially successful films such as Dhoom (2004) Dus (2005) and No Entry (2005) - her biggest commercial success till date.

Personal life[link]

Esha was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and given the full name of Esha Dharmendra Deol. The name 'Esha' comes from the Upanishads and is derived from the Sanskrit language meaning "the divine beloved". She is the elder daughter of Bollywood actors Dharmendra and Hema Malini. She has a younger sister named Ahana. She is the half-sister of actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. She is the first cousin of actor Abhay Deol.

She is part Punjabi and part Tamil and speaks Tamil with her mother and sister. Esha Deol got engaged to boyfriend Bharat Takhtani,^[1] a businessman on 12 February 2012. It was a very private affair and was held at her mother Hema Malini's residence at Juhu.^[2] She has the Gayatri Mantra and a symbol of the yoga asana Scorpio in a sunburst tattooed on her back and a scorpion with a small red heart on her left breast. She is passionate about football and plays the midfielder position. She was captain of her school football team, represented her college in handball at the state level and was selected for the Indian national woman's football team.^[3]

Education[link]

Deol attended Mithibai College in Mumbai where she planned to be become a fashion designer. Deol trained in the Odissi dancing style under Mumbai guru Rabindra Atibuddhi. She was trained by and performs classical Bharatanatyam dance with her mother.

Career[link]

Deol's film career began with Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche for which she won three awards. She released several unsuccessful films in 2003. In 2004 she played a French teacher in Aayutha Ezhuthu. She went on to repeat the role in the Hindi remake Yuva.^[4] This led to a breakthrough on her career as in that same year, she appeared in the multistarrer Dhoom. She had success in Dus and No Entry

Deol's portrayal of a notorious and vengeful ghost in Ram Gopal Verma's Darling (2007) was reviewed positively. Taran Adarsh from indiaFM noted that, "Esha Deol is excellent in a role that’s nothing short of a challenge. It would’ve boomeranged had it been entrusted to any inferior actor, but Esha is in terrific form here. This should be the turning point in her career."^[5]

She is set to star in her mother's next directorial venture with Rekha and Abhishek Bachchan and also a film in which she is cast with her mother.

Deol's next film was called Tell Me O Kkhuda. She portrayed the lead role in the film opposite Rishi Kapoor.^[6] She will also appear in Shivam Nair's Ghost Ghost Na Raha with Rahul Bose and Ayaz Khan.^[7]

Esha with her fiance Bharat Takhtani at their engagement ceremony

Filmography[link]

Awards[link]

• 2002: Filmfare Best Debut Award for Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe
• 2002: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe
• 2003: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Female Debut for Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe

References[link]

1. ^ "'Bollywood celebrity Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani got engaged'". InternetAdda. 12 February 2012. http://internetadda.com/bollywood/bollywood-celebrity-esha-deol-and-bharat-takhtani-got-engaged.html. Retrieved 15 February 2012. 
2. ^ {{cite web|title=Esha Deol got engaged; marriage date to be fixed soon!|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/12/feb/13-news-esha-deol-got-engaged-marriage-date-to-be-fixed-soon-021207.asp]
3. ^ "Esha attends college annual function". http://wn.com/Esha_Deol_at_a_College_Annual_Function. 
4. ^ "'I am today's woman -- very independent, very bindaas'". Rediff. 19 May 2004. http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/may/19esha.htm. Retrieved 6 January 2010. 
5. ^ "Review of DARLING by Taran Adarsh". Naachgaana. 2007-09-06. http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/09/06/review-of-darling-by-taran-adarsh/. Retrieved 2011-02-14. 
6. ^ "Ashutosh Gowariker turned down by newcomer". One India. 11 December 2009. http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2009/ashutosh-chandan-rejected-111209.html. Retrieved 6 January 2010. 
7. ^ Supreeta Singh (12 February 2010). "‘I was called Football Face’". Kolkata Mirror. http://www.kolkatamirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=9&contentid=2010021220100211172217919ef97a75d&sectxslt=. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 

External links[link]

• Esha Deol at the Internet Movie Database
• Esha Deol looks haute in a Neeta Lulla costume

Esha Deol Engagement date 12-02-2012

• Esha Deol Wedding announced in june 2012

Nilesh Narayan Rane is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency of Maharashtra and is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) political party.^[1]

Early life[link]

Nilesh Rane was born in Mumbai to Narayan Rane, a leading Politician from Maharashtra.

Career[link]

Nilesh Rane was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha at the age of 28.

References[link]

External links[link]

This article about an Indian National Congress politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh
Minister of Science and Technology
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 July 2011
President	Pratibha Patil
Prime Minister	Manmohan Singh
Preceded by	Pawan Kumar Bansal
Minister of Earth Sciences
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 July 2011
Preceded by	Pawan Kumar Bansal
Mumbai Cricket Association
Incumbent
Assumed office 15 July 2011
Preceded by	Sharad Pawar
Minister of Rural Development
In office 19 January 2011 – 12 July 2011
Preceded by	C. P. Joshi
Succeeded by	Jairam Ramesh
Minister of Panchayati Raj
In office 19 January 2011 – 12 July 2011
Preceded by	C. P. Joshi
Succeeded by	Kishore Chandra Deo
Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
In office 28 May 2009 – 19 January 2011
Preceded by	Santosh Mohan Dev
Succeeded by	Praful Patel
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
In office 7 September 2004 – 5 December 2008
Preceded by	Sushil Kumar Shinde
Succeeded by	Ashok Chavan
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
In office 18 October 1999 – 16 January 2003
Preceded by	Narayan Rane
Succeeded by	Sushil Kumar Shinde
Personal details
Born	(1945-05-26) 26 May 1945 (age 67) India
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse(s)	Vaishali Deshmukh
Children	3
Occupation	Lawyer
Religion	Hinduism

Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh (born May 26, 1945), popularly known as Vilasrao is the current Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences. He has previously held the posts of Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Panchayati Raj, Government of India and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India.^[1] He is member of Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra. He was also a two-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2008. He is a member of the Indian National Congress and originally belongs to Latur district in the Marathwada region of the state of Maharashtra.

Early life and family[link]

Deshmukh was born on May 26, 1945 in Babhalgaon in the Latur district. He graduated with a degree in Science (B.Sc.) and Arts (B.A.) from M.E.S Abasaheb Garware College, (Pune University) and went on to study law (L.L.B.) from the ILS Law College (Pune University).^[2] He started social activities in his early youth with particular interest in drought relief work. He was elected as the Director of the Osmanabad district Central Cooperative Bank and also of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank in 1979.^[2]

His wife is Vaishali Deshmukh, and he has three sons from her, Amit Deshmukh who is a MLA of Latur city, Ritesh and Dheeraj.^[2] His son Ritesh Deshmukh is an actor in Bollywood movies.^[3]

He has one younger brother Diliprao Deshmukh, who is a MLC and served as Minister of Relief, Rehabilitation, Sports, Youth Welfare and Protocol. in the Maharashtra Government.^[4]

Political career[link]

Deshmukh entered active politics and became member of the Babhalgaon Village Panchayat from 1974 to 1979 and its Sarpanch (village chief) from 1974 to 1976. He was a member of Osmanabad Zilla Parishad and Deputy Chairman of Latur Taluka Panchayat Samiti (Latur District Panchayat Committee) from 1974 to 1980.^[2]

As a President of Osmanabad District Youth Congress from 1975 to 1978, he worked for the implementation of Five Point Programme of the Youth Congress. He organised the youth in Osmanabad district and became President of District wing of the Indian National Congress.^[2]

He was Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 1995 winning 1980, 1985 and 1990 elections.^[5] During this period, as the Minister of State and the Cabinet Minister, Deshmukh handled departments such as Home, General Administration, Cooperation, Public Works, Transport, Legislative Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development Fisheries, Industry, Rural Development, Education, Technical Education, Sports and Youth Welfare,

He has been a minister in various governments in Maharashtra from 1982 to 1995 holding portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education.^[2]

He lost the elections in 1995 with a margin of 35,000. He was re-elected to the State Legislature from Latur Constituency in the elections held in September 1999 with a strong comeback winning with a margin of nearly 91,000 in two successive election, the highest in Maharashtra. He took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on October 18, 1999. He was Chief Minister till 17 January 2003, but had to step down in January 2003 and make way for Sushilkumar Shinde, a prominent Dalit member of Congress, following factionalism in the state unit of the party.

He was re-elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Latur Constituency in the Elections held in October 2004.^[5]

He took oath of Chief Ministership for the second time on November 1, 2004.^[6][7]

In the aftermath of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, he took the moral responsibility and offered to resign, which was then accepted by the party.^[8][9]

He subsequently entered the Rajya Sabha and was appointed to the Council of Ministers as Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 28 May 2009.^[10]

He was appointed as Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises on 19 January 2011 cabinet reshuffle.^[11] Later on he was appointed Minister of Rural Development.

He was appointed as Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences on July 12, 2011

Educational activities[link]

Deshmukh founded the Manjra Charitable Trust which runs a number of colleges in Latur & Mumbai. Some of them are Manajara Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital Latur, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology at Versova, Andheri in Mumbai^[12] and Sushiladevi Deshmukh Vidyalaya at Airoli, Navi Mumbai. His interests include reading, classical music, volleyball and table tennis.^[2]

Vilasrao Deshmukh- Subhash Ghai land deal[link]

On 9 February 2012, the Bombay High Court has ordered filmmaker Subhash Ghai to return to Maharashtra government 20-acres allotted for his film institute. The court indicted the former chief minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh for "misusing his official position" as chief minister by showing "undue favours" to Ghai. The Bombay high court on Thursday said Vilasrao Deshmukh misused his position to allot 20 acres at Film City, Goregaon, to film producer Subhash Ghai for just Rs 3 crore a decade ago. The Mumbai collector said the market value of the plot, where Ghai's institute Whistling Woods stands, was Rs 66.21 crore in 2000. The court cancelled the land allotment and directed Ghai to immediately return 14.5 acres. The remaining land will be taken back in 2014. In quashing the agreement, the judges were particularly harsh on Deshmukh, who is now the cabinet minister in Central Government. "The role played by Respondent 7 (Deshmukh) in the entire transaction is deprecable. As highest functionary of state executive, (he) must be held to be aware of the legal provisions regarding public property," they said. "(Deshmukh) has clearly misused his official position as CM and it is certainly not acceptable that a chief minister will personally sign an agreement as a witness, though such agreement is completely illegal and does not have any support or authority even in the form of a resolution," they said. The land was allotted to Ghai at a price of Rs 3 crore during Deshmukh's tenure as CM. The judges said the Mumbai collector's report valued the land at Rs 45.56 crore as of January 1, 1995. Even if it were to be given at a concessional rate of 10.75% of the market value per year, the amount would be Rs 2.34 crore every year. By January 2000, the market value, according to the Mumbai collector, shot up to Rs 66.21 crore and the rent, after applying the concessional rate, would be Rs 7.11 crore, said the judges. ^[13]

On 4 April 2012, the supreme court of India has ordered Mr. Subhash Ghai to return the 21 acres allotted to his film academy, Whistling Woods, in Film City, Goregaon, which was given to him in 2000 by then chief minister of Maharashtra Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh. The Supreme Court has agreed with the Bombay High Court's decision in February 2012, that said Mr Ghai would have to return 14.5 acres that are currently vacant at his academy immediately to the government. Another 5.5 acres that are in use are to be given back in 2014 so that students currently enrolled can complete their courses without any disruptions. Mr Ghai had appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court's ruling.

^{[14] [15]}

Supreme Court imposed Rs 10 lakhs fine on Maharashtra government[link]

On 14 December 2010, the Supreme Court imposed a staggering Rs 10 lakhs fine on Maharashtra government on a complaint that the then Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh influenced police against registering an FIR against his brother. A bench of justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly chided Deskmukh saying, "The (former) Chief Minister should not have interfered with the criminal justice system." The apex court passed the order while dismissing the Maharashtra government's appeal challenging imposition of Rs 25,000 as fine on it earlier by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on a petition by Buldhana district's farmers alleging that the police refused to register a criminal case against Deshmukh's brother Dilip Kumar under the Money Lending Act. It was alleged that Deshmukh's personal secretary Amba Das had called up the then district superintendent of police (SP) to inform that the chief minister did not want any FIR to be registered in the case. Accordingly, the SP asked his subordinates not to register any FIR but reportedly recorded the same in its file. Aggrieved by the refusal of the police to register an FIR, the victims approached the Bombay High Court which, apart from ordering registration of an FIR, also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the state. ^[16]

Justice Ganguly slams Vilasrao Deshmukh[link]

Justice Ganguly, in Mumbai to address lawyer-activists, called Deshmukh's shift by the UPA government from heavy industries to rural development during the recent reshuffle a "shameless act". He further added "It is sad and shocking to see how the government allows and appreciates such ministers. Not only that, (it) also gives them a cabinet post. It is not a dignified act, I would call it a shameless act." ^[17]

Taj Controversy[link]

Vilasrao Deshmukh found himself in controversy after he visited the Hotel Taj after 26/11 attack in 2008, with actor son Riteish and filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma. Opposition Leader of BJP Sudhir Mungattiwar criticized him saying "He has misused his position when he took Ram Gopal Varma to the Taj (Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel) after the terror attack." ^[18]

Probe against Deshmukh for shielding MLA from farmers[link]

On 28 March 2012, the metropolitan magistrate's court has directed the Marine Drive police station to investigate allegations that Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh shielded a congress MLA from complaints by poor farmers in Buldhana district of Marathwada. The incident in question took place in May 2006 when Deshmukh was the chief minister of Maharashtra. Farmers from Vidarbha, led by one Sarangdharsingh Chavan, filed complaints against MLA Dilip Kumar Sananda and his family for torturing them to recover the loan amount and charging an interest of 10% per month.

As many as 34 complaints were registered against the MLA and his family till June 28, 2006. However, the petitioners alleged that Deshmukh's interference ensured that no subsequent cases were registered by the police, forcing the distressed farmers to move the high court.

The high court held that Deshmukh acted in violation of the law by asking the district collector of Buldhana and Khamgaon police station not to register cases against MLA Sananda and his family members.

The state government appealed against the verdict in the Supreme Court. The apex court, however, dismissed the government's appeal and instead, increased the fine levied on the Maharashtra government from Rs25,000 per head to Rs10 lakh.

In its December 2010 order, the division bench of justices G S Singhavi and AK Ganguly condemned Deshmukh's actions in no uncertain terms and made some hard-hitting observations. The court termed the erstwhile chief minister's actions as “condemnable”, as he acted beyond “all legal norms” for “political consideration” despite the Vidharbha region having a dubious distinction of witnessing the largest number of farmer suicides.

“The chief minister's instructions are so incongruous and anachronistic, being in defiance of all logic and reason, that our conscience is deeply disturbed. We condemn the same in no uncertain terms,” the bench had said.

“The message conveyed in this case is extremely shocking and it shocks the conscience of this Court about the manner in which the Constitutional functionaries behaved in the state of Maharashtra,” the bench had said.

Last year, a private complaint was filed by one Abdul Malik Chaudhary who sought to issue process and also sought criminal proceedings against Deshmukh and the MLA. Chaudhary's lawyer, Ashish Giri, said that the court has directed the Marine Drive police to file a report after inquiry by June 11. ^{[19] [20]}

CAG Report 2012[link]

According to the 2012 Comptroller's and Auditor General's (CAG) Report, Vilasrao Deshmukh, as Chief Minister in 2005, allotted a 23,840 square metre plot of land in Mumbai to a trust held by his family: The Manjra Charitable Trust. The market value of the land was worth Rs. 30 crore, but it was allotted at one-fifth the price, Rs. 6.56 crore. And while the land was given for a dental college, and the construction should have begun within two years as per the law, nothing has been built on the plot until four years after, indicating motivations for a land grab. The CAG report says: "Our scrutiny of land records revealed that the collector while allotting land did not mention the basic condition regarding completion of entire work within the period of two years so as to commence educational activity. It was also revealed that the chief minister had approved the application of Manjara trust for allotment of land in preference to three other applications without assigning any reason for this preferential allotment." ^{[21] [22]}

Adarsh Scam[link]

An affidavit filed in the Bombay high court, on 27 April 2012 alleges that Vilasrao Deshmukh might be owning two flats through proxies in the scam-tainted Adarsh Housing Society in Mumbai. The affidavit was filed by social activist Pravin Wategaonkar, one of the petitioners who have sought action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against politicians and bureaucrats in the Adarsh case through a PIL. "It was noticed in the CAG audit that in most cases decisions that were taken resulted in undue favour to the Society. Many of the officials who were involved in such decisions were direct beneficiaries. Either they or their relatives already were, or later became, members of the Society," it says, quoting the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report. According to the affidavit, Deshmukh, during his tenure as Maharashtra chief minister, recommended three persons—Uttam Ghakare, Amol Karbhari and Kiran Bhadange—for membership in the Adarsh Society, and they were allotted flats in the high-rise. It alleges that Karbhari and Bhadange, who hold adjacent flats 1503 and 1504, appear to be proxies for Deshmukh. "Both these people have received finances totalling Rs. 104.5 lakh from former Congress MLC and chief promoter of the Society Kanhaiyalal Gidwani (an accused in Adarsh case) and the company Apeksha Impex, reportedly owned by the Gidwanis themselves," the affidavit claims. Further, it alleges, allotment of flats to the persons recommended by Deshmukh appears to be a quid-pro-quo for the clearances given to the Society in his capacity as chief minister and minister-in-charge of the Urban Development. Deshmukh recently was rebuked by the high court and later by the Supreme Court in the Whistling Woods land allotment case. ^[23]

Notes[link]

1. ^ "Department of Heavy Industry". Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. http://dhi.nic.in/. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Shri. Vilasrao Dagadoji Deshmukh". Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. http://dhi.nic.in/min-biodata.pdf. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
3. ^ "Ritesh Deshmukh Biography". apunkachoice.com. http://www.apunkachoice.com//names/rit/ritesh_deshmukh/cid_609/biography/. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
4. ^ "Dilip Deshmukh takes oath as Cabinet Minister". webindia123.com. 1 March 2009. http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20090301/1188874.html. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Election result Analysis 1978-2004". Election Commission of India. http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/electionanalysis/AE/S13/partycomp206.htm. Retrieved 27 January 2010. 
6. ^ "Wheel has taken full circle for Vilasrao Deshmukh". Rediff.com. 30 October 2004. http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/oct/29maha1.htm. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
7. ^ "Deshmukh sworn in Chief Minister of Maharashtra". The Hindu. 2 November 2004. http://www.hindu.com/2004/11/02/stories/2004110209660100.htm. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
8. ^ . Hindustan Times. 5 December 2008. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chavan-to-be-new-Maharashtra-CM/Article1-356150.aspx. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
9. ^ "Mumbai: the aftermath". World Press. 5 December 2008. http://inside.org.au/mumbai-the-aftermath/. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
10. ^ "Big comeback: Deshmukh in Union Cabinet". CNN-IBN. 28 May 2009. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/big-comeback-deshmukh-in-union-cabinet/93527-37.html. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
11. ^ "Vilasrao Deshmukh's promotion in Union Cabinet". CNN-IBN. 19 January 2011. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/maha-cm-gets-rural-development-ministry/140962-37.html. Retrieved 19 January 2011. 
12. ^ "MANJARA Charitable Trust". Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai. http://mctrgit.ac.in/aboutus.php. Retrieved 6 February 2010. 
13. ^ "Bombay HC slams Vilasrao Deshmukh- Subhash Ghai land deal - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-10/mumbai/31045559_1_land-allotment-joint-venture-cultural-development-corporation. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
14. ^ "Supreme Court orders Subhash Ghai to return land, slams Vilasrao Deshmukh". Movies.ndtv.com. http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20120198613&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=193699. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
15. ^ "Supreme Court orders Subhash Ghai to return land, slams Vilasrao Deshmukh". Ndtv.com. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/supreme-court-orders-subhash-ghai-to-return-land-slams-vilasrao-deshmukh-193700. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
16. ^ "SC fines Maharastra Govt Rs 10 lakhs for shielding ex-CM's brother". Sify.com. 2010-12-14. http://www.sify.com/news/sc-fines-maharastra-govt-rs-10-lakhs-for-shielding-ex-cm-s-brother-news-national-kmomObefbcb.html. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
17. ^ "Vilasrao's cabinet post a shameless act: SC judge - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-07/india/28366079_1_sc-judge-moneylender-rural-development. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
18. ^ "BJP demands Vilasrao Deshmukh's resignation - Politics - Politics News - ibnlive". Ibnlive.in.com. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-demands-vilasrao-deshmukhs-resignation/229475-37-64.html. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
19. ^ "Probe against Deshmukh for shielding MLA from farmers". Hindustan Times. 2012-03-29. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Probe-against-Deshmukh-for-shielding-MLA-from-farmers/Article1-832360.aspx. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
20. ^ "Vilasrao Deshmukh faces inquiry for shielding 'friend' Dilip Sananda : West News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2012-03-29. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vilasrao-deshmukh-inquiry-congress-mla-dilip-sananda/1/179823.html. Retrieved 2012-04-05. 
21. ^ http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-06/news/31300068_1_land-allotment-cag-report-manjara
22. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/chaos-in-maharashtra-assembly-after-cag-report-on-land-grab-indicts-ministers-198593
23. ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Deshmukh-might-be-owning-flats-in-Adarsh-through-proxies/Article1-846652.aspx