Will Amit & Dhiraj carry dad Vilasrao Deshmukh’s legacy in Maharashtra?

Its all in the family as scions, sons and daughters continue to rise in Maharashtra politics – whether it’s the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena, the Opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party and other bigger and smaller political outfits.

The latest entrant to the Family Club Inc. is the low-profile Congressman Dhiraj V. Deshmukh, the youngest son of the late Chief Minister and ex-union minister Vilasrao D. Deshmukh.

After his political schooling in Zilla Parishad politics – like his illustrious father – Dhiraj Deshmukh has made his maiden foray into state politics this year with a resounding victory to the legislature in Latur Rural constituency.

He secured a hefty 118,000 votes, the third highest margin in the state, in which all the 14 other opponents stand to forfeit their deposits.

Deshmukh is the younger brother of Amit V. Deshmukh, who was also re-elected for a third term from Latur City on a Congress ticket.

Their third sibling is the popular Bollywood actor-producer Ritesh Deshmukh.

Besides, their uncle is another senior politician, Diliprao D. Deshmukh, a legislator and former state minister besides being a former vice-chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Ltd.

The simultaneous – and rare – entry of Amit and now Dhiraj, to the legislature, has fuelled political speculation of a possible larger role for the brothers in state politics which is lacking in a strong, acceptable leadership.

“Both are well-educated, enjoy good personal image, belong to the respected Vilasrao D. Deshmukh clan, quietly ambitious but are readily accepted by all sections in state political circles,” a senior party leader told IANS.

Dhiraj launched his political career at the grassroots levels, including wining elections in the Zilla Parishad, and served the Indian Youth Congress, before taking the plunge into state-level electoral politics and becoming a lawmaker.

“This victory has brought greater responsibilities on me and I pray for the continued support and blessings of my constituents to live up to their expectations,” was Dhiraj’s down-to-earth comment after his resounding victory yesterday.

His father Vilasrao was a two-time CM besides being a union minister in former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet handling several key portfolios like Rural Development and Heavy Industries.

Coming under scathing attacks by the Opposition for his handling of the Nov. 26, 2008 Mumbai terror strikes and its aftermath, he was forced to quit barley 10 days after the hits by Pakistani extremists.

Later, he was elected to Rajya Sabha and served as a minister till his demise on Aug. 14, 2012 due to health complications.

Besides the Deshmukh brothers, other prominent political scions to enter the legislature include Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aditya, NCP President Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew Rohit Pawar. –IANS news

Its all in the family as scions, sons and daughters continue to rise in Maharashtra politics – whether it’s the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena, the Opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party and other bigger and smaller political outfits.

The latest entrant to the Family Club Inc. is the low-profile Congressman Dhiraj V. Deshmukh, the youngest son of the late Chief Minister and ex-union minister Vilasrao D. Deshmukh.

After his political schooling in Zilla Parishad politics – like his illustrious father – Dhiraj Deshmukh has made his maiden foray into state politics this year with a resounding victory to the legislature in Latur Rural constituency.

He secured a hefty 118,000 votes, the third highest margin in the state, in which all the 14 other opponents stand to forfeit their deposits.

Deshmukh is the younger brother of Amit V. Deshmukh, who was also re-elected for a third term from Latur City on a Congress ticket.

Their third sibling is the popular Bollywood actor-producer Ritesh Deshmukh.

Besides, their uncle is another senior politician, Diliprao D. Deshmukh, a legislator and former state minister besides being a former vice-chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Ltd.

The simultaneous – and rare – entry of Amit and now Dhiraj, to the legislature, has fuelled political speculation of a possible larger role for the brothers in state politics which is lacking in a strong, acceptable leadership.

“Both are well-educated, enjoy good personal image, belong to the respected Vilasrao D. Deshmukh clan, quietly ambitious but are readily accepted by all sections in state political circles,” a senior party leader told IANS.

Dhiraj launched his political career at the grassroots levels, including wining elections in the Zilla Parishad, and served the Indian Youth Congress, before taking the plunge into state-level electoral politics and becoming a lawmaker.

“This victory has brought greater responsibilities on me and I pray for the continued support and blessings of my constituents to live up to their expectations,” was Dhiraj’s down-to-earth comment after his resounding victory yesterday.

His father Vilasrao was a two-time CM besides being a union minister in former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet handling several key portfolios like Rural Development and Heavy Industries.

Coming under scathing attacks by the Opposition for his handling of the Nov. 26, 2008 Mumbai terror strikes and its aftermath, he was forced to quit barley 10 days after the hits by Pakistani extremists.

Later, he was elected to Rajya Sabha and served as a minister till his demise on Aug. 14, 2012 due to health complications.

Besides the Deshmukh brothers, other prominent political scions to enter the legislature include Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aditya, NCP President Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew Rohit Pawar. –IANS news