Kolkata, Aug 4 - The city virtually came to a standstill as a mass of people Tuesday evening joined the funeral procession of West Bengal minister Subhas Chakraborty, one of the most popular leaders of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

Around 8.30 p.m., Chakraborty's mortal remains were consigned to flames at a state funeral at the Keoratala Ghat, amid wailing and shouts of 'Subhas Chakraborty Amar Rahe', as 67 CPI-M activists stood in silence carrying the lowered red flags.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, party politburo member Sitaram Yechuri, state party secretary and ruling Left Front chairman Biman Bose and countless admirers of the departed leader were present during the funeral as state police jawans reversed their arms and gave a three-gun salute to him.

Communist cadres sang 'The International' as the flower-bedecked body was taken out of the carriage and put on a pedestal for the leaders to pay their homage before being put in the electric crematorium.

Transport and Sports Minister Chakraborty, 67, died in a hospital Monday following multi-organ failure after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Considered a go-getter, Chakraborty was known for publicly airing controversial views - many of which were against the official line of the regimented CPI-M - but his huge support base remained intact due to his ability to mix with people from all walks of life and his helpful nature.

Through the day, thousands of mourners wept and showered petals and garlands as Chakraborty's body was taken through North 24 Parganas district and the metropolis.

From a 92-year-old woman who persuaded her relatives to carry her to Chakraborty's ancestral residence at Dum Dum Private Road for a final glimpse of the leader to Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty, the commoners and the famous lined up both sides of the route of the funeral cortege.