Politics

NCP Working President Praful Patel Visits Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital to Check on His Health

By Faisal Malik

The 85‑year‑old NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar is receiving treatment at Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai for a chest and respiratory infection, and the hospital has said his condition is stable. On Thursday, NCP working president Praful Patel visited Pawar at the hospital to enquire about his health. Patel said he had not discussed politics during the visit, noting that the hospital is not a place for such discussions. Pawar had asked what was happening in politics, but Patel clarified that no political matters were addressed. The meeting followed a recent gathering of senior NCP leaders, including Patel, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, which had sparked speculation about internal party turmoil. The NCP, however, has denied any rift. The party split in 2023 when a group of leaders, including Patel, joined the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance under the late Ajit Pawar. The Ajit Pawar faction retained the NCP name and symbol, while Sharad Pawar’s group became NCP (SP).