Kolkata, Aug 4 - Thousands of mourners showered petals and garlands as the body of West Bengal minister Subhas Chakraborty, one of the most popular leaders of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), was taken through North 24 Parganas district Tuesday on its last journey.

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.

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 her leader to Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty, commoners and the famous lined up both sides of the streets on the route of the funeral cortege.

Sportspersons including footballer Sailen Manna, former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, cultural personalities like singer Usha Uthup, top leaders of the CPI-M and other political parties as well as countless ordinary people - many of who had been helped by Chakraborty during crisis times - paid their last respects.

Monks of the Ramakrishna Mission, who expressed their gratitude for Chakraborty's support for their projects, garlanded the body.