Harsimrat Kaur, Akali Dal's face in Parliament

Daughter-in-law of Punjab Chief Minister Parakash Singh Badal, Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal is a prominent face of the party in Parliament.

Belonging to the powerful political family of Punjab, she was elected for the second time from Bhatinda Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections after defeating her husband Sukhbir Badal's cousin Manpreet Singh Badal.

Among the various issues on which Harsimrat has spoken in her first term in Parliament have been concerns related to victims of 1984 riots and matters related to Punjab.

Born in a family that traces its roots to Attar Singh Majithia, a prominent General in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army, 47-year-old Harsimrat graduated from Delhi University and pursued textile designing for three years after college.

A mother of two daughters and one son, Harsimrat has also been at the forefront of an initiative 'Nanhi Chhan' which aims to protect the girl child.

Her brother Bikram Singh Majithia is also an influential minister in the Punjab government.