Ashish Deshmukh

Ashish Ranjeet Deshmukh (born 11 December 1974) is an Indian social worker, activist, philanthropist, and was the member of the 13th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. In May 2020, he helped the Maharashtra Government by mobilising relief fund of rupees seventy four hundred thousand (74 lakh) for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. He represented the Katol Assembly Constituency. He resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Deshmukh is the son of former president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee and former Maharashtra minister Ranjeet Deshmukh. In December 2013, Deshmukh had undertaken an indefinite fast to press for formation of a separate Vidarbha state. He has been consistently involved from the last 25 years in upliftment of people at large from the backward regions of Vidarbha on various crucial political, social and economic issues raised by tribals, dalits, farmers, labourers, women, and youngsters. To name a few-conducting workshops/agitations/water conservation projects for farmers, mass marriages for tribals, free healthcare facilities for the poor, job fairs for the unemployed, anti-tobacco campaigns, de-addiction and cancer treatment, self employment activities for women, as well as providing quality education to children. He has also been greatly instrumental in the promotion of sports, arts, and cultural activities.