How Cong-BJP used Manmohan Singh's brothers as pawns

Chandigarh: Daljit Singh Kohli and Surjeet Singh Kohli, the two half-brothers of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have achieved 15 seconds of fame at the fag end of their half-brother’s ten-year prime ministership, something they couldn’t manage in the entire decade. Within a day of the BJP claiming one - Daljit Singh Kohli - as its own, the Congress checkmated the opponent by showcasing the other - Surjeet Singh Kohli - in a roadshow for its Amritsar candidate Captain Amarinder Singh. What’s going on? [caption id=“attachment_1502895” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Modi with the PM’s half brother Daljit Singh. PTI[/caption] It’s strange that the two biggest parties of the country should be gunning for the PM’s brothers, who, with due respect, are absolute non-entities politically. The way the two acquisitions have been showcased by the two parties is almost comical. The two recent newsmakers from Manmohan Singh’s family have only helped in putting the focus on their beleaguered half-brother who is battling many demons at the same time. The most recent of which arrived not too long ago in the form of his former advisor Sanjay Baru’s controversial book - “The accidental prime minister: The making and unmaking of Manmohan Singh”. So, who are these two half-brothers who have created ripples in the local politics of Amritsar, one of the country’s most high profile and high security constituencies? Family history cites Gurmukh Singh as being the father of PM Manmohan Singh and his half brothers Surjeet and Daljit. Amrit Kaur was Gurmukh Singh’s first wife and died early, leaving behind a very young Manmohan and five daughters. Surinder, Surjeet, Daljit and a daughter were the children from second wife Krishen Kaur. The eldest, Surinder Singh, is no more. Now that they have been inducted into the nation’s politics with such fanfare, how are the two half-brothers going to help the parties for which they have displayed public support? Surjeet and Daljit are live next door to each other. Till their recent flirtation with politics, both siblings were completely entrenched in business, where they proved their mettle as true Punjabi entrepreneurs. Their respective businesses still continues. They have joint businesses of an auto piston manufacturing unit, textile exports and they also have their own branded garment stores. “Though from a family with a staunch Congress following, with illustrious Manmohan Singh, the PM as their half brother, Surjeet and Daljit have never indulged in active politics, except just discussing various issues,” an Amritsar-based businessman close to the family, said on condition of anonymity. So what suddenly prompted Daljit Singh to join the BJP – the strongest opponent of the Congress? This is what Daljit had to say after joining the BJP on 25 April: “My elder brother is an honest and respected gentleman, and he served the nation with honesty and full dedication. But, the Congress leadership never gave him full authority to run the government and the country is in a mess. I have joined the BJP in the interest of Punjab and the country.” While, the PM expressed his sadness over the turn of events, Amarinder Singh was quick to react, alleging Daljit was a ‘non-entity’. “Is he a politician? Moreover he himself is under depression and that might have been the reason of joining the BJP,” Amarinder said. And, then what followed was an exchange of barbs. “Not me, it’s Amarinder Singh who is under depression after I joined the BJP. And, how he communicates with people is a known fact. Is he going to talk the same way as an MP if elected?” Daljit asked. So why did Amarinder and the Congress pull in the other half-brother into the party’s road show and the press conference? “It’s nothing but a reaction to Daljit’s move. Surjeet is backing Amarinder only to express family’s solidarity towards Congress in public,” the businessman known to the family said. During a press conference organised by Amarinder on 26 April, Surjeet said, “Barring Daljit, our entire family is firmly with the Congress and the PM, and we’re working to ensure Captain’s victory.” The people who are in the know of local politics opined that Daljit’s induction into the BJP in Narendra Modi’s presence was an embarrassment for the Congress at the local level. “Though Daljit’s joining the BJP is no way going to have any impact on the polls, showcasing Surjeet’s support to the Congress, is a damage control exercise,” said Jagbir Sandhu, a 72-year old retired government official. The families of Surjeet and Daljit feel that the latter’s decision to join the BJP won’t have any impact on Captain’s chances of victory and won’t dent Manmohan Singh’s reputation. “Our whole family was shocked by Daljit Singh’s decision and what’s done is wrong. We have a close association with the Congress and it continues even today,” nephew Mandeep Singh told the press on 25 April.