NCP chief Sharad Pawar unwell, to postpone visit to oil refinery site in Maharashtra’s Nanar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is unlikely to visit Nanar in Ratnagiri district, where the oil refinery is set to come up, on May 10 as he is unwell and has been advised bed rest.

Pawar, who is now 77, has cancelled travel plans for the next 10 days. “The NCP chief has hurt his foot and has been advised by doctors to take complete rest for 10 days,” said Supriya Sule, Pawar’s daughter and NCP Member of Parliament (MP) from Baramati constituency.

This means that his visit to Nanar in Konkan region, scheduled for May 10, will most likely be postponed. Pawar had wanted to visit Nanar to understand the concerns of locals, who are opposing the refinery project.

Pawar was in Pune on Sunday to chair the party’s executive committee meeting, held to complete its internal election process. He was expected to return to Mumbai after the meet, but stayed on in Pune on his doctor’s advice. “He has had blood circulation issues in his legs for quite some time, which has made walking difficult. But now, doctors have advised him strict bed rest,” said a senior NCP leader, requesting anonymity.

Pawar is expected to stay in Pune for at least 10 days, he said, adding that the NCP chief has cancelled all scheduled visits and meetings.

There are indications that he may ask senior leaders such as Sule or Ajit Pawar to visit the site on his behalf, a senior party functionary said.