Going by the size of gatherings, it would seem that Preneet Kaur, the Congress candidate in Patiala and wife of CM Capt Amarinder Singh, has the edge over her rivals. But speak to the people at the gatherings, and most will respond: “There are some good candidates in the fray. We are keeping our options open”.
In this Congress citadel, Preneet Kaur does not seem as strong as she was in 2009, primarily owing to the  anti-incumbency sentiment against the local leadership. Many of her confidantes do not have a rapport with local residents and fellow Congress men within the party.