Chandigarh August 21:
If the recent Lok Sabha elections had Congress candidates focusing on local issues, the Patiala (urban) assembly byelection has party nominee Preneet Kaur fall back on the contribution of the royal lineage of her husband Captain Amarinder Singh in setting up different institutions in the erstwhile princely state of Patiala.
"In order to promote Punjabi and Punjabiat, my father played an important role in setting up of Punjabi University, Patiala. It is the second in the world to be named after a language ? Amarinder Singh," read a poster uploaded on the official Facebook page of Preneet. "With utmost devotion, my forefathers contributed immensely in building of Kali Mata Mandir, Quila Chowk, Kedarnath and Badrinath Mandirs, Gurdwara Moti Bagh, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib ? Amarinder Singh," read another poster.
The campaign also highlighted the fact that Mohindra College, one of the first degree colleges in the region, too was set up by Captain's forefathers in 1875. "Thousands and thousands have passed out from the great institution to contribute to nation building," read a poster. Amarinder and his wife Preneet hope to switch places, with the latter hoping to retain the Patiala (urban) assembly seat, vacated by Amarinder after his election as MP from Amritsar. Preneet was the sitting MP from Patiala but lost to SAD's Prem Singh Chandumajra.