Sharad Pawar improving at Breach Candy Hospital, may be discharged tomorrow, says Shinde

New information has emerged about the health of Sharad Pawar, senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction. His health had deteriorated during a tour of drought-affected areas of the state. He was admitted to Ruby Hospital in Pune after complaining of cough and weakness.

He was discharged after two days of treatment there. He has since been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai for further tests.

On hearing that Pawar was being treated in hospital, a number of leaders from across the state have been going to see him. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited him at Breach Candy Hospital, accompanied by Sachin Ahir and Milind Deora.

After the meeting, Shinde spoke to the media. He said Pawar Saheb's health was good and improving. Shinde also said doctors had told him Pawar would be discharged tomorrow.

According to Shinde, the meeting was not only about enquiring after Pawar's health. The drought in the state and measures to deal with it were also discussed. Shinde said he had advised Pawar Saheb not to hurry to leave hospital and to rest for a few days.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of leaders has been calling on Pawar. Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunetra Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat, Sanjay Raut, Jayant Patil and industrialist Gautam Adani have already visited him in hospital.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee, Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are reported to have telephoned to ask after Pawar's health. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke to Supriya Sule by phone to enquire about Pawar's health.

For now, Sharad Pawar's health is reported to be improving. It is therefore hoped that he may soon be discharged from hospital.