Pawar health fine, says angry NCP

The Nationalist Congress Party is incensed with the speculation about Sharad Pawar’s health. State Nationalist Congress Party chief on Thursday issued an official statement saying that the speculations are unfortunate and Mr Pawar is fine. “In the last few days, rumours are being spread about Mr Pawar’s health, which has created confusion among Nationalist Congress Party functionaries and workers. His health his fine and party workers should ensure that no rumours are spread about this. As the chief of party’s state unit, I am making an earnest request. If anybody is spreading rumours with wrong intentions, it is deplorable,” Mr Pichad said in the official statement. On Sunday, Mr Pawar had taken ill at a public function in the Kolhapur district and had to be air-lifted to Pune. “In Kolhapur, he felt tired because of low-sugar levels. Therefore, he took a day’s rest in Pune. Currently, he is on a tour to Bangalore, Ooty and Mysore,” Mr Pichad added. According to the Nationalist Congress Party, Mr Pawar on Thursday reviewed the functioning of Cardamom Research Centre in Madikeri in Karnataka. Mr Pawar, who is on a two-day tour of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-affiliated institutions in Karnataka, is scheduled to return to Delhi on Saturday.