PM saddened by half-brother's decision to join BJP

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi/Amritsar
Last Updated : Apr 26 2014 | 6:23 PM IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he was saddened by the decision of his half-brother Daljeet Singh Kohli to join BJP which claimed it reflected people's anger against the Congress.
"I feel very sad. I have no control. They are all adults," he said while replying to queries on the sidelines of the Padma awards function in Delhi.
In a major embarrassment to the Congress, Kohli had yesterday joined BJP at a public rally in Amritsar in the presence of the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
In Amritsar, Kohli said he was "depressed" over the plight the Congress has landed itself in. He also denied having taken any advantage of being related to the Prime Minister.
"My brother has been Prime Minister for 10 years. Tell me if you have seen any deal that I have made in Amritsar. One deal I have certainly had is with Modi, Prakash Singh Badal, Arun Jaitley and that has been for the development of Amritsar," he said.
The entry of Kohli, a local businessman, into the BJP came a day after the prime minister rejected perceptions of a 'Modi wave' in the country.
Singh today asserted that Congress could again form the government at the centre. UPA-III is not impossible, he said.
Welcoming Kohli into the BJP fold, Modi had said he will further strengthen the party.
Singh's nephew Manbir Singh said the whole family was shocked over Daljit joining BJP. He, however, said he has no knowledge of any deal having been struck between Daljit and the BJP.
"We are with Doctor Saheb (PM) and support him and his policies. And in Amritsar, we support Amrinder Singh," he said.
Prime Minister Singh has six sisters while Kohli is his half-brother, the sources said. The prime minister's mother died at an early age.
Union Minister Kapil Sibal said when Atal Bihari Vajpayee's niece can join the Congress, then why can't someone else's brother join some other party.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Daljit joining BJP reflected people's growing disenchantment with the Congress.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 26 2014 | 6:23 PM IST

Next Story