59. Wedding of Rakhra s niec

Punjab leaders, babus set to visit US

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 2

Top state politicians, bureaucrats and police officers are likely to attend the wedding of Rural Development Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra's niece Tina Dhaliwal, daughter of Rakhra's brother Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, in Wisconsin, US, on August 11.

Given Darshan's proximity with top political leaders and businessmen in the US, besides Punjab leaders, the occasion will see the presence of high-profile people.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and a battery of other politicians will soon leave for the US. The CM's office has already postponed Badal's engagements by a week.

Sources said besides Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, three cabinet ministers, and senior officers were expected to attend the function. The hosts were expecting over 100 guests from India, subject to visa clearances, they said.

"Many other important guests are also expected to fly to the US at the last minute and all preparations are complete on our part," said Ravee S Ahluwalia, coordinator and official spokesman for Dhaliwal brothers in India.

Darshan Dhaliwal, president, Bulk Petroleum of Milwaukee, WI, who owns more than 1,000 gas stations across the US, makes huge contributions to politicians, community groups and religious organisations of the US.

"We have sent invites to many close friends. The exact number of guests will be known only after visa clearances and other formalities," said Rakhra, who has already left for the US.