Mumbai, Aug 7 (Agencies): Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh , who has been admitted to the Global Hospital in Chennai with a liver ailment, is in critical condition, sources said on Tuesday.

Deshmukh, who is suffering from multiple organ failure, was brought by an air ambulance from Mumbai late Monday night.

Deshmukh was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy in Mumbai, where he was admitted a week ago. He was suffering from cirrhosis of liver and his two kidneys were dysfunctional.

When his condition deteriorated further, he was put on life support systems and it was then decided to shift him to Chennai in an air ambulance, sources said.

Dr Mohammed Rela, a renowned liver transplant specialist, is attending to the Union minister

According to reports, Deshmukh's liver ailment was detected during a routine medical check-up over a year ago. Since then his family has been examining all options, including a liver transplant either abroad or in Chennai or New Delhi.