Visitor Visa : Should I sponsor or let Dad self sponsor himself

[GCWaitingNJ]

Please help in making this decision.
Here is my situation. I want my dad to visit us this summer. My mom passed away last year . I am the only son but I have 4 sisters all settled in India. My elder sister currently lives with Dad with her 2 kids. ( Her inlaw place is a small town with mediocre schools )
My dad is a retired , state Government pensioner. He has over 70 lakhs in fixed assets ( properties) and 60 lakhs in bank accounts/FD/shares etc. He currently draws a pension of around 22,000 INR per months and as per rule he need to physically go at least once every year to pension office in order to continue receiving his pension

On my end I am working for a large financial company, stable full time job, no consulting. My wife is also working and we have a 4 year old kid to support. I have more than 175K in US bank account . I have been working in US from last 7 years.
I know my dad being a widow and retired kind of makes the case weak. But I just want to maximize my dad's chance of getting a visitor visa , which way should I go. Let him self sponsor or should I sponsor him ?

[ramabalaji]

I suggest your father self sponsor his visa and you can send him a invite letter. He will stand a good chance to get visa as his daughters are living in home country.

[peace999]

In his case it may not come to the funding question at all because, I do not mean
to dishearten you, he has a combo of 3 negatives;

-widower
-retired
-only son in US.

Still, there is no harm in trying once, he may get lucky with a lenient officer.
Let him show self funding using his savings.

[GCWaitingNJ]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks peace999 and Rama, I will go the self sponsorship route and will try my luck.
Planning to include the following

1) Invitation letter from myself
2) Family photo with my sisters and kids
3) Proof of funds and fixed assets
4) Possibly a letter from Pension Office or his bank stating that he need to come back by so and so month in 2013 in order to continue receiving his pension

I know it doesn't make sense but can I still send I-134 and my bank statements with Tax returns to strengthen the case ( In I-134 I can state that if needed I will cover any untoward expense like medical emergency in USA )

[peace999]

If you send I-134 , that will mean you are sponsoring. for self funding there should not be any I-134.
3,4 not required. They don't give you any time for documents.
4-5 qs in 45 to 90 seconds and bam-- decision.