Parliament was adjourned for the day today as a mark of respect to senior Congress leader and Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who died on August 14 following multiple organ failure.
Soon after the House of the People met for the day’s business, Speaker Meira Kumar read out an obituary reference for the Congress leader.
The Members stood in silence for a short while to pay homage to Deshmukh. Thereafter, Ms Kumar adjourned the House for the day to mourn his death.
When the Council of States assembled for the Question Hour, Chairman Hamid Ansari also read out an obituary reference for Deshmukh.
The Upper House stood in silence for two minutes to pay tributes.
Dr Ansari said: “In the passing away of Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh, the country has lost an able administrator and a distinguished parliamentarian.” Later, he adjourned the House for the day.
Deshmukh, 67, died at Global Hospitals in Chennai on Tuesday following kidney and liver failure.
The Union Minister, who was born in Babhalgaon in Latur district of Maharashtra, started his legislative career as a Member of the state Assembly in 1980. He was a Member of the Assembly from 1980 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2009.
He served as the Maharashtra Chief Minister for two terms between 1999 and 2008.
He represented the state in the Rajya Sabha for two terms, from August 2009 to April 2012 and again from April 2012.
At the Centre, Deshmukh held portfolios of Heavy Industries and Public Interprises, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Science and Technology.
—–UNI