The recent list of New cabinet ministers in the Central government has one name which will make every Laturkar happy and Proud. The name in Vilasrao Deshmukh.
The former Chief Minister will be inducted into the Union Cabinet tomorrow (May 28) when the Union Council of Ministers will be expanded to take in 59 more ministers.

One of the longest serving Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh’s debut in the Union Cabinet marks his move from state to national politics.

64-year-old Deshmukh’s journey in politics began as a village sarpanch in Latur district and the Marathi leader steadily rose in the ranks to assume the top post in the state twice.

He had been a minister in various governments in Maharashtra from 1982 to 1995 holding the portfolios of revenue, cooperation, agriculture, home, industries and education which is testimony to his extensive experience in the legislature and administration.

Deshmukh became chief minister in 1999 but had to step down in January 2003 and make way for Sushilkumar Shinde, a prominent Dalit face of Congress, following factionalism in the state unit of the party.

In 2004 Assembly elections, he again became chief minister, a post which he had to vacate in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack.

We congratulate every Laturkar for the success and wish that the progress of Latur will continue in same magnificient pace.