The body of Union Minister Vilasrao Desmukh, who died in Chennai on Tuesday, was brought to his home district in Maharashtra by a special flight on Wednesday morning, a party official said.

Thousands of grieving supporters and family on Wednesday bade a tearful adieu to Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh whose mortal remains were consigned to flames at his native Babhalgaon village from where he began his political journey as an obscure sarpanch four decades ago.

With Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh critically ill, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi has been given additional charge of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry.

Maharashtra celebrated Independence Day in a somber mood on Wednesday amid flag hoisting ceremonies and singing of national anthem at most places in the state. The celebrations were subdued and kept low key due to the death of Union Minister and former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Tuesday.

Vilasrao Deshmukh, who passed away on Tuesday in a Chennai hospital, was the second President of the Mumbai Cricket Association to die in office after S K Wankhede in 1987.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi will attend the funeral of Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Wednesday.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday condoled the death of the Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leaders from across the political spectrum on Tuesday mourned the death of Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, hailing him as a "pragmatic" politician and an "able" administrator.

President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday paid rich tributes to late Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh describing him as a "towering" leader who was always in touch with the grassroots of society".

A sea of humanity poured out on all roads leading to Babhalgaon village in Latur district where the body of their beloved leader Vilasrao Deshmukh was brought for people to pay their last respects on Wednesday.