Veteran educationist and five-time Maharashtra MLC BT Deshmukh dies at 87

Amravati,UPDATED: Jun 19, 2026 23:28 IST

Former five-time Maharashtra Legislative Council member and educationist BT Deshmukh died on Friday, his family said. He was 87.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari condoled his death, remembering his role as a long-time representative of teachers and graduates and his work on education, water and development issues.

In his condolence message, Fadnavis said Deshmukh was his guide. "I personally learned a great deal from him. I always received his valuable guidance. He led a generation that believed politics and social work are one and the same," he said.

Fadnavis said Deshmukh represented the Amravati graduates' constituency in the Legislative Council five times and fought for the rights of professors and teachers, while also raising his voice on several social issues. He said Deshmukh's speeches in the Legislative Council continue to inspire new members. The chief minister also said Deshmukh consistently fought for irrigation and drinking water schemes and contributed to the establishment of Amravati University, adding, "I offer him my heartfelt tribute."

Gadkari also condoled Deshmukh's death in a message on X. "While working together for many years in the legislature, I shared a very close and friendly relationship with B T Deshmukh. As a long-time representative of the Teachers' Constituency, Deshmukh fought hard for unaided schools, teachers and professors. He was known as a strong leader who gave voice to the problems of the education sector. His well-researched speeches in the House to address Vidarbha's lagging development were inspiring to every legislator. A thorough scholar who insisted on parliamentary traditions, Deshmukh consistently campaigned for the development of underdeveloped areas in Vidarbha and across the state," he said.

Deshmukh's death prompted tributes from leaders who recalled his long legislative career, his advocacy for teachers and professors, and his work on development issues in Vidarbha and Maharashtra.

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