In a major embarrassment to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his younger brother Daljeet Singh Kohli joined the BJP on Friday.
Amid cheers, Mr. Kohli was welcomed by the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, who hugged him. He was presented a siropa (robes of religious honour) in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and BJP’s Amritsar candidate Arun Jaitley.
Mr. Badal said Mr. Kohli was hurt by the treatment Dr. Singh received at the hands of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi.
Mr. Modi said the BJP stood strengthened by Mr. Kohli’s entry.
He told Mr. Kohli that unlike the Congress, the BJP was based on relationships and not just membership.
