Preneet, daughter Jai Inder, daughter-in-law Rishma canvassing for Capt, Raninder
Patiala/Samana, January 17
Stakes are high for the erstwhile royal family of Patiala in the forthcoming assembly elections. A winning would, in a way, mean regaining control of the state reins for the next five years. For, the family head, former CM and PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, is the Congress’ likely chief ministerial candidate.
But unlike earlier elections, the royalty’s energies are divided this time. Both the “Raja” (Amarinder) and the “Yuvraj” (Raninder Singh), are fighting the poll battle.
The elections have also brought along a greater responsibility for the family women, especially Patiala MP Preneet Kaur (Capt’s wife). As Amarinder is busy canvassing for other Congress candidates across the state and his son Raninder is contesting the assembly elections for the first time, it’s Preneet Kaur who has been managing poll affairs in both the constituencies.
While Amarinder is seeking re-election from Patiala (City) seat, Raninder is testing political waters from Samana. Apart from this, Preneet, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, also has on her shoulders the responsibility to canvass for Congress candidates in other seats that are part of her parliamentary constituency.
For Preneet, the day begins much before dawn. Her mornings and evenings pass by preparing poll strategies while goes campaigning door to door during the day. She also has a new “foe” to deal with this time round: Malvinder Singh, Amarinder’s younger brother who prior to the declaration of candidates was a trusted soldier of Perneet. He defected to the SAD after losing out to Raninder in the race for the ticket. Malvinder even announced support for the Yuvraj’s Akali opponent, thus, signifying the MP would have to work overtime to keep her flock together in Samana.
While Preneet is the most "busy member" of the royal family these days, other family members, including Amarinder's daughter Jai Inder Kaur and Raninder's wife Rishma, too, are doing their bit. The magic of the women camaraderie seems to be casting a spell on the voters, with the trio getting good response wherever they head to seek mandate. Most of the voters assure: “We again want to see Amarinder on the CM’s chair”.
Jai Inder Kaur, who is married to a Delhi-based industrialist, says campaigning for her father gives her “immense satisfaction”. She was instrumental in campaigning for her family during the last assembly elections and the 2009 General Election too. She is the one who remains in touch with the close aides of the Amarinder family to ensure electioneering is flawless.
Jai starts her day early in the morning and tries to cover maximum area in Capt Amarinder's constituency.
Speaking to the Tribune, Preneet says she has been representing the Patiala parliamentary constituency since 1999 and is well aware of the issues concerning the people. "I enjoy good rapport with the people. They have trusted me in the past and will do do this time as well,” she says. Asked how she manages such a hectic campaigning, she says: “Politics is all about struggle and commitment. One has to work tirelessly to win the voters’ trust and work even harder to serve them after getting elected.” Preneet says as Amarinder is busy canvassing outside Patiala, she has to take charge in his place.
Raninder's wife Rishma, too, is not new to election campaign. She had a shot at it during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, though her husband lost to Badal ‘bahu’ Harsimrat Kaur from Bathinda then. She is also contributing in her father-in-law’s constituency, moving door to door, greeting people with a smile and noting down their complaints, if anybody has one.
Raninder’s schedule is no different. His journey begins at 7 am. Getting off his SUV in a Samana village, the royal scion, nicknamed Tikku, values time in the run-up to polls, and hurriedly counts the achievements of the previous Congress regime. “Samana was ignored by the Akalis. But I promise, this will not happen during the Congress rule,” he tells a gathering at Kherhi Mallan.
Patiala/Samana, January 17
Stakes are high for the erstwhile royal family of Patiala in the forthcoming assembly elections. A winning would, in a way, mean regaining control of the state reins for the next five years. For, the family head, former CM and PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, is the Congress’ likely chief ministerial candidate.
But unlike earlier elections, the royalty’s energies are divided this time. Both the “Raja” (Amarinder) and the “Yuvraj” (Raninder Singh), are fighting the poll battle.
The elections have also brought along a greater responsibility for the family women, especially Patiala MP Preneet Kaur (Capt’s wife). As Amarinder is busy canvassing for other Congress candidates across the state and his son Raninder is contesting the assembly elections for the first time, it’s Preneet Kaur who has been managing poll affairs in both the constituencies.
While Amarinder is seeking re-election from Patiala (City) seat, Raninder is testing political waters from Samana. Apart from this, Preneet, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, also has on her shoulders the responsibility to canvass for Congress candidates in other seats that are part of her parliamentary constituency.
For Preneet, the day begins much before dawn. Her mornings and evenings pass by preparing poll strategies while goes campaigning door to door during the day. She also has a new “foe” to deal with this time round: Malvinder Singh, Amarinder’s younger brother who prior to the declaration of candidates was a trusted soldier of Perneet. He defected to the SAD after losing out to Raninder in the race for the ticket. Malvinder even announced support for the Yuvraj’s Akali opponent, thus, signifying the MP would have to work overtime to keep her flock together in Samana.
While Preneet is the most "busy member" of the royal family these days, other family members, including Amarinder's daughter Jai Inder Kaur and Raninder's wife Rishma, too, are doing their bit. The magic of the women camaraderie seems to be casting a spell on the voters, with the trio getting good response wherever they head to seek mandate. Most of the voters assure: “We again want to see Amarinder on the CM’s chair”.
Jai Inder Kaur, who is married to a Delhi-based industrialist, says campaigning for her father gives her “immense satisfaction”. She was instrumental in campaigning for her family during the last assembly elections and the 2009 General Election too. She is the one who remains in touch with the close aides of the Amarinder family to ensure electioneering is flawless.
Jai starts her day early in the morning and tries to cover maximum area in Capt Amarinder's constituency.
Speaking to the Tribune, Preneet says she has been representing the Patiala parliamentary constituency since 1999 and is well aware of the issues concerning the people. "I enjoy good rapport with the people. They have trusted me in the past and will do do this time as well,” she says. Asked how she manages such a hectic campaigning, she says: “Politics is all about struggle and commitment. One has to work tirelessly to win the voters’ trust and work even harder to serve them after getting elected.” Preneet says as Amarinder is busy canvassing outside Patiala, she has to take charge in his place.
Raninder's wife Rishma, too, is not new to election campaign. She had a shot at it during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, though her husband lost to Badal ‘bahu’ Harsimrat Kaur from Bathinda then. She is also contributing in her father-in-law’s constituency, moving door to door, greeting people with a smile and noting down their complaints, if anybody has one.
Raninder’s schedule is no different. His journey begins at 7 am. Getting off his SUV in a Samana village, the royal scion, nicknamed Tikku, values time in the run-up to polls, and hurriedly counts the achievements of the previous Congress regime. “Samana was ignored by the Akalis. But I promise, this will not happen during the Congress rule,” he tells a gathering at Kherhi Mallan.
Village after village that he visits, crowds of bearded men gather in large number to listen to him while women folk are more eager to have a glimpse of the royal scion.
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