Balasaheb Desai established Loknete Balasaheb Desai Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana in Patan. This sugar mill was started on a cooperative basis, which helped provide stability and growth for farmers in the region. Balasaheb Desai worked closely with leading cooperative leaders in Maharashtra such as Yashwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil, Gulabrao Patil and many more.

Balasaheb Desai was a famous political leader from Maharashtra state. Initially he started his practice in Patan & Karad, Dist. Satara. In 1940 he contested the election of the District Local Board and was elected President. In 1952 he was elected as MLA from Patan and again in 1957. In 1957 he became a State Cabinet Minister. In 1960 Balasaheb Desai was the Educational Minister of Maharashtra State. To literate children of poor people, he declared 100% fee off for people whose income was not more than Rs.1200/- through EBC facilities, due to which many children from poor families were able to take education. In 1962 he became Agriculture Minister and also in the same year he was asked to take responsibility as a Home Minister. In 1978-79 he was President of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha.

In the history of the Maharashtra government, Balasaheb Desai is seen as one of the strongest Home Ministers till date. He took many brave steps to make the Home and Police Department strong and reliable. He handled many critical situations very well during his term as Home Minister. On 11 December 1967 a disastrous earthquake took place in Patan; to uplift people from such disaster he took continuous effort to help people. His efforts were seen by the whole of Maharashtra and were greatly appreciated. He came to be known as a true leader of the poor people. Due to his work, honor, and the love shown by common people, a famous journalist, Pralhad Keshav Atre, called him "LOKNETE".

He played a key role in the establishment of Shivaji University, Kolhapur. In 1962, he took the initiative to establish Shivaji University. He also established Balasaheb Desai College of Arts and Science in 1969 at Patan.