Hon. Mr. R. V. Deshapande is the Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Government of Karnataka. He has earlier served as the Minister of State for Small Scale Industries, Agriculture Housing and Urban Development, Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development and Co-operation. He was also the Leader of the Opposition of Karnataka State Legislative Assembly and the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. He has won the Assembly elections 7 times from Haliyal Constituency in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. Mr. Deshpande was also the President of the Karnataka State Co-operative Agriculture & Rural Development Bank and Chairman of KSSIDC.
