NEW DELHI/AMRITSAR, Apr 26: Prime Minister Dr 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.
Naqvi said people from all walks of life had moved towards the BJP as they were fed with the Congress on several fronts. “Many more are joining BJP and supporting Modi,” he claimed.
Lok Sabha elections to 13 seats in Punjab are due in one phase on April 30.
Welcoming Kohli into the BJP fold, Modi had said he will further strengthen the party.
“Today, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s brother Daljeet Singh has joined BJP. This will further strengthen us. We are not a party which talks of membership but one which forms relations,” Modi had said.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Jaitley, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar, had also welcomed Kohli at the rally.
Kohli said the Congress party has not given the Prime Minister “full authority” to run the Government.
Kohli also said that he will accept whatever responsibility BJP gives him. (PTI)
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