Union Minister Nitin Gadkari fainted while speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra's Yavatmal on Tuesday afternoon. Fortunately, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader received prompt treatment and was able, after a brief pause, to get back up on stage and continue his speech.
Shortly after completing his speech, Mr Gadkari posted on X (formerly Twitter).
"I felt discomfort due to the heat at the rally in Pusad, Maharashtra. But now I am completely healthy, and am leaving for Varud to attend the next meeting. Thank you for your love and good wishes."
A disturbing video of the incident - which was unfortunately streamed live on X (formerly Twitter), including by his own account - showed Nitin Gadkari being carried away by those on stage, many of whom rushed to form a shield around the BJP leader to give him, and those treating him, some privacy.
Mr Gadkari - who fought the first phase of the Lok Sabha election as the candidate from Nagpur, a seat he won in 2014 and 2019 - was campaigning for Rajashree Patil, who is from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena and is the ruling Mahayuti alliance's pick for Yavatmal-Washim.
There was speculation about the political future of Mr Gadkari earlier this year, after the BJP delayed naming him as its Nagpur Lok Sabha candidate. That delay even led to a cheeky invitation from former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray; he extended a 'join us' message to Mr Gadkari.
READ | "Insulted? Join Us": Uddhav Thackeray To Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
"I had told Gadkari this two days ago, and I am repeating it again. If you are being insulted, leave the BJP and join the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA, which is an alliance of Congress and the formerly undivided Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party, led by Mr Thackeray and Sharad Pawar)."
"We will ensure your victory. We will make you a minister when our government comes to power, and it will be a post with powers," Uddhav Thackeray declared.
READ | After Thackeray's "If Insulted" Call, Nitin Gadkari In BJP's 2nd List
The BJP, it seems, heard and responded. Days later Mr Gadkari was named in the party's list.
Earlier, Mr Gadkari responded to Mr Thackeray's offer, calling it "immature" and "ridiculous". Speaking in Yavatmal, he said the BJP had a system for poll tickets, and that his rival need not worry for him.
The Mahayuti alliance consists of the BJP, the Shinde-led Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party breakaway unit led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The three are scrambling to conclude a seat-share deal before the deadline for filing nominations for the fifth phase of the election.
There are six seats that have yet to be allotted in the tug-of-war between the BJP and its two state allies. Three of these six are the high-profile Nashik, Thane, and Mumbai South seats. Reports indicate the Sena faction is keen on Nashik and Thane, and is hopeful about Mumbai South.
In the second phase of polling - on April 26 - eight seats in the eastern part of Maharashtra will vote, including Amravati, Hingoli, Nanded, and Yavatmal-Washim.
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