Patiala:
Adding colour to the glitz of polls in Punjab are the nicknames most politicians here are known by even in public life.
Raninder Singh, son of Congress leader and former chief minister Amarinder Singh, is better known in political circles as well in the sports fraternity as 'Tikku'.
Given his erstwhile royal status as the 13th descendant of the Patiala royal family and his father's clout in state politics, Raninder is referred to as 'Tikku ji' (ji is for respect) even by the Congress leaders.
Raninder is the Congress candidate for the Samana assembly seat. Punjab will go to the polls for its assembly on January 30.
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief and former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh is usually called 'Maharaja Saab' by Congressmen and scribes address him as Captain Sahib. His wife and Patiala MP Preneet Kaur is referred to as 'Maharani Saab'.
One common pet name given to gaudy sons of Punjab politicians is 'Kaka ji'.
As Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had objected to the use of word 'Kaka ji' used in advertisements issued by Punjab Congress. Election Commission has also asked Congress to refrain to use word Kaka ji.
Even SAD aspirant from Mohali Harsukhnminder Singh Badal is commonly known as Bubby Badal and son of late Kanwaljit Singh is known as Bunny.
PCC member Rajinder Singh, son of Lal Singh, Congress nominee from Sanour, is known as Kaka ji. Kaka Randeep Singh has been contesting from Amloh.
Others politicians here also love to be addressed as Nannu, Goldy, Bittu and Jassi. Some even add suffixes to their names like Pappy, Billu and Happy.