Congress' Preneet Kaur joins BJP in Punjab; 10 key points of this Patiala MP's political journey

Having contested five Lok Sabha elections representing the Congress in Patiala since 1999, Preneet emerged victorious in four, except in 2014.

Former Congress MP from Punjab's Patiala, Preneet Kaur, joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on March 14, ending days of speculations.

Preneet, who the Congress suspended earlier for allegedly speaking against the party, had been openly displaying her support for the BJP in her constitutional area.

Here's a glance at this Patiala MP's political career in 10 points:

>> Preneet is the spouse of former Congress leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has since joined the BJP and is actively involved in facilitating a potential alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

>> In February 2023, Preneet faced suspension from Congress on accusations of engaging in activities against the party's directives. These accusations stemmed from complaints lodged by Punjab Congress leader Amarinder Raja Warring, who accused her of aiding the BJP within Punjab.

>> Preneet had distanced herself from the activities of the Congress following her husband's removal from the chief ministerial post in 2021.

>> She notably refrained from participating in Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and campaigned against the party during the 2022 assembly elections.

>>Additionally, she dissented from the party's stance by voting against the expulsion of Mahua Moitra.

>> When served with a show-cause notice by the party, she opted not to respond, challenging the party to "take whatever action it deems necessary."

>> Congress refrained from expelling her, recognising that such action would exempt her from the anti-defection law.

>> Having contested five Lok Sabha elections representing the Congress in Patiala since 1999, Preneet emerged victorious in four, except in 2014.

>> She has previously served as the Minister of State for External Affairs in the UPA-2 government.

>> A prominent figure in her constituency, she enjoys strong social connections owing to her accessibility and rapport with grassroots workers.