Kakajis to the fore

But genes aside, most of these New Age leaders also boast formidable CVs and are often credited with an outlook with a difference. A quick look at the son and nephew brigade:

• Manpreet Singh Badal: A St Stephen’s graduate and a Bar-at-Law from London, this 45-year-old finance minister and four-time MLA from Gidderbaha, is seen as the voice of reform in a state trapped in the competitive politics of doles.

• Bikram Singh Majithia: At 32, this gangly, first-time MLA from Majithia is the youngest and most visible face of the Punjab cabinet as its minister for public relations. A St Stephen’s graduate with a business administration degree from the US, Majithia is better-known as the only brother-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal.

• Parminder Singh Dhindsa: Son of former Union minister and present Sangrur MP S.S. Dhindsa, this SAD (B) legislator from Sunam and first-time minister is an MBA from Panjab University. He is also said to be an astute businessman.

• Jasjit Singh Bunny: Son of cabinet minister Captain

Kanwaljit Singh, Bunny may have lost his maiden election from Kharar in the assembly elections last year but he has won the chairmanship of Punjab Cooperative Bank. Adjudged as the best debut director for his Reebok ad, this former creative director with J. Walter Thompson, Bunny also boasts a management degree from the University of British Columbia.

• Adesh Partap Singh Kairon: Son-in-law of CM Parkash Singh Badal and grandson of Congress CM Partap Singh Kairon, this low-profile food and civil supplies minister is an engineer with a management degree from Kellogg Business School. A four-time legislator from Patti, some say he is one of the sharpest brains of the ruling party.

• Sukhpal Singh Khaira: A first-time Congress legislator from Bholath where he trounced the formidable Bibi Jagir Kaur, former SGPC chief, Khaira is the son of an erstwhile Akali minister who fell out with Badal. An alumnus of Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Khaira is the self-styled spokesman of a very low-key Congress in the Opposition.

• Sunil Jakhar: Youngest son of Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar, and a two-time legislator from Abohar, this management graduate and well-read legislator is cast in the role of the conscience keeper of the assembly during its sessions, doling out informed opinions on everything, from subsidies and farmer suicides to the Police Act

• Amarpal Singh Bonny: Son of Tarn Taran SAD(B) MP Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, he is doing quite a job of nursing his ancestral seat of Ajnala after his maiden victory in the Assembly elections last year. While the rest of Punjab may grouse about non-utilisation of NREGA funds, Bonny likes to claim he’s got 2,000 people employed under the scheme.