Malvika Sood, the sister of actor Sonu Sood, has joined the Indian National Congress ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, which will take place in a single phase on February 14. Votes will be counted on March 10. 

Sood, who rose to greater prominence due to his selfless work in getting migrant workers home during the COVID-19 lockdown crisis, has extended support to his sister. He had made the announcement back in November 2021 that Malvika would contest the upcoming polls. However, at the time, Sood had remained tight-lipped about the party she’d be joining. 

Current Chief Minister of the state, Charanjit Singh Channi, welcomed Malvika to the party, clarifying that he was sure she would serve people with integrity and honesty, helping spread the Congress’ message at a grassroot level. 

In light of the new joining, Sonu Sood recently stepped down as the state icon of Punjab. It was a mutual decision taken by him and the Election Commission since a family member was to contest the election.

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Sood made the announcement, saying “Like all good things, this journey has come to an end too. I’ve voluntarily stepped down as the State Icon of Punjab. This decision was mutually taken by me and EC in light of my family member contesting in Punjab Assembly Elections. I wish them luck for future endeavours.”

Sood himself has denied having any political plans but has now lent active support to Congress. The Punjab Youth Congress shared a post about how Sonu Sood stands with progress and the current ruling party in the state. 

The upcoming election promises several political dimensions, since Captain Amarinder Singh, who’d led Congress to victory in the 2017 assembly elections, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has broken its 24-year alliance with the BJP over farm laws disagreements and will be contesting the elections with Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).