SAD Patriarch Parkash Singh Badal Hospitalised In Punjab Due To Breathing Difficulties

Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal has been admitted to a private hospital in Punjab’s Mohali.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal has been admitted to a private hospital in Punjab’s Mohali after he complained of breathing difficulties. The 95-year-old veteran politician is under close observation of doctors, reported PTI citing hospital sources. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his concern about Badal’s health and said that he has spoken to his son and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal about it. 

"Concerned to know that the veteran leader Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji is unwell and admitted to hospital. Had a telephone discussion about his health with Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji. I pray to God for his speedy recovery," the minister tweeted. 

Badal was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, PTI mentioned in the report. 

The former Punjab chief minister and a five-time MLA, Badal was hospitalised in June last year following a complaint of gastritis and bronchial asthma. 

In February 2022, he was taken to a private hospital in Mohali for a post-Covid health check-up during which he had undergone cardiac and pulmonary check-ups too, reported PTI. He was admitted to a hospital in Ludhiana after testing positive for Covid-19 in January 2022. 

PTI report stated that the SAD patriarch had been advised by doctors to opt for regular precautionary check-ups, especially after contracting Covid-19. 

This comes as the country continues to witness a surge in daily Covid-19 cases. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said on Thursday. The minister is currently under home quarantine with mild symptoms. According to news agency PTI, the defence ministry said that a team of doctors examined him and advised him to rest.

He was scheduled to attend the Indian Air Force Commanders' Conference in Delhi on Thursday, but had to skip it after testing positive, the ministry said, as per PTI. 

Previously, the Defence Minister tested positive for Covid-19 in January 2022 when the Omicron variant was driving the surge of Coronavirus cases. Informing about it on Twitter, Rajnath Singh had said that he had mild symptoms and was under home quarantine. "I have tested positive for Corona today with mild symptoms. I am under home quarantine. I request everyone who have recently come in my contact to isolate themselves and get tested," Rajnath Singh tweeted at the time.