Balachandra Maheshwar Gupte

The affluence of Mr. B.M.Gupte's genius for solid work is seldom excelled. Endowed with keen intellect and a quick grasp he has put in within the twelve years of his public career an amount of constructive work, of which any one can be well proud.

For sweetness of temper, for sterling character, devotion to a cause and simplicity of life Mr.Gupte is an inspiring model. He has a Fabian Appetite for facts.

K.L. Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri

Bhalachandra Maheshwar Gupte

He was born in Poona, February 17th, 1895. He was an intelligent schoolboy, a popular undergraduate, and exited the admiration of his friends. He graduated in 1917 with honours in Sanskrit and won Fellowship at the college. In 1919 he took his M.A. Degree and in 1920 L.L.B

Since 1925 he has devoted himself to politics. In 1935 he was confirmed in Yerawada Jail as a detune. He was the President of the Poona Congress committee and the Chairman of the Limited Concern with publishes "The Lokasakti", a leading Marathi daily. In 1937 he presided over the Kolaba District political Conference.

His career is not merely rich in promise but in achievement. His name is chiefly remembered for his valuable work on Co-Operation and Local Self-Government. He was the Chairman of Poona District Central Co-Operative Bank, President, Poona District Co-Operative institute and Chairman, reception Committee, Maharastra Co-Operative Conference. He is connected with many institutions. To enumerate them is to prepare a fairly long list.

He was the editor of Marathi Quarterlies on Co-Operation and Local Self Government. He gave evidence before the Bombay Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee. He drafted a Village Panchayat Bill, many suggestions of which are embodied in the present Village Panchayat Act.

The election of Mr. Gupte to the Assembly is one of the historic events. He defeated the President of the Democratic Swaraj Party by a thumping majority. With bated breath millions watched the result of his election. His opponent stood crest-fallen and Mr.Gupte came out with flying colours.

Now he is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister in charge of Local Self-Government. His clear thinking, precise expressions have stood him in good stead.

Source: Haripura Congress Souvenir, 1938