Vilasrao Deshmukh Dies, Parliament Adjourned

Chennai: Union minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh died Tuesday after a prolonged illness at the age of 67.

Deshmukh passed away around 2 p.m., sources at the Global Hospital said. Deshmukh was awaiting liver and kidney transplants. His family members, including his three sons, were by his side when he breathed his last.

On Monday, a person was declared brain dead, giving hope that Deshmukh may survive. Doctors were ready to harvest the organs when Deshmukh's condition deteriorated.

Deshmukh, who was union science and technology minister, was rushed to Chennai from Mumbai on Aug 6. He had been in the intensive care unit since.

On July 19, Deshmukh was in New Delhi for the presidential election.

Both houses of parliament were adjourned as soon as the news of the Congress leader's demise came in.

In the Rajya Sabha, the announcement of Deshmukh's passing away was made by Nationslist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar, who was in the chair. The house was discussing the whistleblowers protection bill when the announcement was made.