His death was announced by a choked Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in the Lok Sabha.
Deshmukh was a member of Rajya Sabha and minister without portfolio. Earlier, he was minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. After he fell ill, his portfolios were given to Vayalar Ravi.
"I have to inform with great grief that my colleague Vilasrao Deshmukh has passed away," Shinde said as the Lok Sabha was discussing the issue of increasing Naxalite and Maoist activities.
He wanted the Lok Sabha to be adjourned as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani too expressed grief following which the chair adjourned the Lok Sabha for the day.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal informed the Rajya Sabha about the death of Deshmukh following which the House was adjourned.
"Vilasrao Deshmukh is no more...He has just passed away," Bansal said in the Upper House.
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