“My father never encouraged me to join this profession. I have also not thought of it till last year when I decided to pursue politics with all sincerity,” said Singh over phone from New Delhi on Friday.

Asked what made him change his mind, he said: “It’s a little early to disclose my reason to join politics. I will prefer to disclose this at an opportune time.” Fifty-year-old Singh had studied in England and worked as the India head of Credit Suisse First Boston — the fifth largest global investment bank, before starting his own real estate business. He owns shopping malls in various parts of the country, including one in Allahabad.

Regarding reports that he had already been made president of Jan Morcha, Singh said: “This matter was neither discussed nor it was communicated to me. There are certain things that need to be finalised before I enter politics.”

Singh claimed that though he had received offers from Congress, BJP, SP and BSP, he has not accepted any of them, as these came because of his father’s position in Indian politics. “Taking on my father’s political legacy was very easy for me. But then I would be known as former prime minister’s son, which I really don’t like to be called. I will follow my father’s ‘moral legacy’ and the thoughts he gave to Indian politics, but not his political legacy. I wish I had the qualities and values like my father,” said Singh.