Former Union minister Potdukhe cremated

The mortal remains of former Union minister and senior Congress leader Shantaram Potdukhe were consigned to flames with full state honours Monday in Maharashtra's Chandrapur.

Potdukhe (86) died at a hospital in Nagpur Sunday following brief illness.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

The four-time MP from Chandrapur in eastern Maharashtra had served as a Union minister of state for finance in the Narasimha Rao-led government.

Potdukhe's funeral procession started from his residence here in afternoon. It passed through the main roads of the city, before reaching the crematorium--Shanti Dham.

His son Bharat Potdukhe lit the funeral pyre, after a 21-gun salute was given in the honour of the departed minister.

People from all walks of life and politicians cutting across various parties, including the Congress and the BJP, attended the last rites.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir, Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar (both BJP) were also present.

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leaders, including Maharashtra state party chief Ashok Chavan and Vilas Muttemwar, visited Potdukhe's residence to console the bereaved family members.