Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was suffering from sclerosis of the liver, passed away at a Chennai hospital on Tuesday.
On August 6, Deshmukh was airlifted to Chennai's Global Hospital. Surgeon Dr Mohammed Rela was to have performed a liver transplant.
Over the past week, the 67-year-old leader was showing signs of improvement and the doctors were getting ready for the transplant.
Deshmukh is survived by his wife and three sons.
The Maharashtra Government has declared a three day State-mourning.
A popular Maratha leader, Deshmukh’s tenure as chief minister was the second longest in Maharashtra.
SEBI board member and former Industries Secretary of Maharashtra V. K. Jairath told Business Line that Deshmukh’s tenure as chief minister would be remembered as the ‘golden days’ for industrial investment.
“It was under his leadership that the State received the maximum number of investments, he said.
“His wit was well known. In fact, he coined the famous term ‘From Red Tape to Red Carpet’ while summing up the changing industrial climate in Maharashtra,” Jairath said.