PUNE: In a development that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar was urgently taken to Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune from Baramati on Monday following persistent coughing and breathing difficulties.
The 83-year-old veteran leader, a towering figure in Indian politics for decades, began experiencing intensified symptoms late Sunday night. According to his nephew Srinivas Pawar, the decision to admit him for medical evaluation was swift to ensure his well-being.
Dr. Purvez Grant, head of Ruby Hall Clinic, has been briefed on the situation. Initial assessments are underway, with decisions on hospitalization pending comprehensive tests. Pawar’s daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule is by his side at the hospital.
‘Sharad Pawar has been coughing since this morning. We will conduct thorough checks and decide on the appropriate treatment. Admission will follow if necessary, based purely on medical advice,’ Dr. Grant stated.
A team of specialist doctors is monitoring his condition closely, with vital tests already in progress. The primary concern remains the severe cough, and further reports will dictate medication and next steps.
This health scare comes amid personal tragedy for the Pawar family. Recently, a plane crash claimed the life of his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leaving Sharad Pawar shuttling between residences in Baramati and Pune while grieving.
Pawar’s medical history includes a major jaw cancer surgery before 2004, followed by multiple procedures in India and the US over recent years to manage related complications. Political leaders and well-wishers across the spectrum are anxiously awaiting updates on his recovery.
As investigations continue, the nation watches closely, hoping for a swift return to health for this political stalwart whose influence extends far beyond Maharashtra.