Union minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh died at a hospital here Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was 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 be the lucky organ-recipient and survive. Doctors were ready to harvest the organs but the person died of cardiac arrest. Deshmukh's condition deteriorated and he passed away, said the hospital official.
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 in a critical condition 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.
Condolences poured in from all quarters at the demise of the leader.