'Unwell' Nitin Gadkari forced to sit down during National Anthem in Solapur: Report

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday felt dizzy at a public event in Solapur and was forced to sit down with the support of his security guards while the National Anthem was being played, according to reports. An aide of the minister said Gadkari was attending a function of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University and was the guest of honour. He leaned towards his left a bit and was sat down with the support of his security guards who were standing behind him, as per the video footage of the function. The aide also said doctors have attributed Gadkari's "spell of dizziness" to a strong dose of antibiotics the minister took on Wednesday for a throat infection.

Gadkari's aide told PTI that the minister felt "uneasy" and was later checked by the local medical officer in Solapur. "He was already feeling warm and felt uneasy due to the reaction of antibiotics he had taken. After the check-up, the doctor confirmed that his blood pressure and blood sugar level is normal," the aide said. "He had some throat infection and he took a rather strong dose of antibiotics on Wednesday evening. The doctors told us that today's dizziness was caused by the dose," he added.

"Doctors have asked us not to worry about his health. He will continue his tour and attend a function in Pune later this evening," he also said. This is not the first time the BJP leader has fainted on stage during public events.

There have been a couple of incidents in the last several months where he fainted at public events, apparently due to low sugar levels. In December last year, Gadkari fainted during an event in Ahmednagar. He was about to fall down when Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao supported him, following which Gadkari was taken to hospital. That incident happened during a convocation ceremony at Mahatma Phule Agricultural University in Rahuri. The Union minister had addressed the gathering before the incident.

- with PTI inputs

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nitin Gadkari leaned towards his left a bit and was sat down.
• Nitin Gadkari's aide told PTI that the minister felt "uneasy".
• There have been a couple of incidents due to his low sugar levels.