Pursued course to become a doctor, ended up in politics: Badal

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today went down the memory lane, saying during his youth he was pursuing medical course to become a doctor but as the fate would have it he ended up entering politics.
"I had never thought of becoming a Chief Minister, leave alone becoming a five-time CM," 87-year-old Badal said at a media conference here.
He was responding to questions including those related to how he entered politics and secret behind his fitness at this ripe age.
On his long political innings, he said, "there was a time when I was the youngest Chief Minister, now I am the oldest CM (in the country)".

The veteran Akali leader said that he had never thought of becoming a Chief Minister as during his youth in a college in Lahore, which was then part of undivided India, he had studied medical and was on his way to become a doctor.
He said that the medical subjects were tough and he took up Arts and thought of becoming a lawyer, but when he was jailed during an agitation he had to give up the law course in between.

Later, he became a village sarpanch and then chairman of block committee and finally entered politics being elected a MLA.

When asked what was the secret of his agility, he said, "I am a simple person. Look, it is important to maintain discipline in one's life which keeps one's healthy..".
Asked if he intended to write an autobiography and share his experiences?, Badal candidly replied, "I don't get time to write even a letter. First, I am not that able to write a book. Secondly, I am not in favour of writing a book (biography). Sometimes you make a mistake in writing the book and then you (media) get an issue.