India, Nov. 6 -- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Praful Patel met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at Breach Candy Hospital on Thursday to enquire about his health.

The 85-year-old Pawar is undergoing treatment at the south Mumbai hospital for a chest and respiratory infection. The hospital said his condition was stable.

The meeting came days after a group of senior NCP leaders, including Patel, met Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi, triggering speculation about turmoil within the regional party. The NCP, however, denied any internal rift.

People aware of the matter said Pawar enquired about what transpired at the meeting with Shah, but Patel told media that no political discussions had taken place.

"I keep meeting ...