Nitin Gadkari faints while speaking at campaign rally in Maharashtra

April 24, 2024 06:00 pm | Updated 08:54 pm IST - PUNE

Soaring temperatures and hectic election campaigning took their toll on senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who collapsed on the dais after suffering a bout of dizziness midway during his speech in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district on Wednesday.

Mr. Gadkari was speaking at Pusad in Yavatmal while campaigning for Rajashri Patil of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the ruling Mahayuti’s candidate for the Yavatmal-Washim Lok Sabha constituency.

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He fainted during his speech after feeling dizzy, and was immediately carried away by those on stage. However, his condition stabilised soon after and he even left for Varud for the next campaign.

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,” said Mr. Gadkari, the Mahayuti’s candidate for the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat that went to polls in the first phase on April 19.

Mr. Gadkari, who is heavily diabetic has a history of suffering such bouts of dizziness. In August 2019, the BJP leader had experienced a fainting spell following a sudden dip in his sugar level during a public function in Solapur.

In December 2018, Mr. Gadkari had experienced a similar bout of dizziness during a function in Rahuri in Ahmednagar district.