NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said visits by VIPs to flood-affected regions should be avoided as they affect rescue and relief operations.

Talking to reporters, Pawar said he can say based on his personal experience that except the chief minister, deputy chief minister and guardian ministers, others who are not directly linked to the relief operations should avoid such visits. These VIP visits put unnecessary pressure on local machinery and authorities and divert their focus from rescue and evacuation work, the former Union minister said while talking about his party's contribution to the flood relief work.