Union Minister & Former Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh Dies

Union Minister & Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh died today (Tuesday, August 14th 2012). The 67 years old Deshmukh died in a Chennai hospital and had been suffering from a liver disorder.

Deshmukh was admitted to Chennai’s Global Hospitals on August 7th. Sources at Chennai’s Global Hospital said, “Deshmukh passed away around 2 p.m. 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.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and newly elected President Pranab Mukherjee condoled Deshmukh’s death. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said it was a great loss to the party.

Vilasrao Deshmukh was a Member of Parliament in Rajya Shabha, India. He has previously held the posts of Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Panchayati Raj, Government of India and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India.  He is member of Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra. Vilasrao Deshmukh was two-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2008. He is a member of the Indian National Congress and originally belongs to Latur district in the Marathwada region of the state of Maharashtra.