Chandigarh, May 1
It is now the turn of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to go to the US for his routine biannual medical examination later this month.
Though Badal himself is not very keen, it is his family which is evincing special interest in his keeping his appointment with the New York-based doctor.
The doctor, who had removed a cyst from Badal’s liver some years ago, wants him to come for a medical examination now as he had skipped his previous biannual check-up.
Sources say that the Chief Minister had talked to his doctor some days ago and finds no immediate reason to head for the US for the routine examination.
In March, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had gone to the UK for his routine medical check-up and returned last month.
Though Punjab has been trying to encourage medical tourism, claiming that the best healthcare facilities at competitive rates are available in the state, senior political leaders and bureaucrats still prefer to go for treatment overseas.
Interestingly, the sources reveal, Badal has been trying to impress upon his family members that he is ready for examination
by the best available doctors of the state. The revival of the sangat darshan programme after his return to power has been keeping him on his toes for 10 to 12 hours a day.
While Badal, the sources say, insists that he feels no immediate need for a special medical examination, it is the pressure from within the family, including wife Surinder and son Sukhbir, that may compel him to have a three-week sojourn in North America.
Besides the medical examination, family sources maintain, Badal can use the visit to the US to woo NRIs to come and invest in Punjab, especially in the spheres of infrastructure development, healthcare and education.
If the Chief Minister bows to family pressure, he should be leaving for the US by May 15 and returning by the first week of June. Accompanying him will be his wife, and son Sukhbir may also stay with him for some days in the US.
The special court at Ropar has already allowed their travel abroad.
