Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Akhilesh Yadav and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal today said coalition governments are a reality though they have their constraints and at times weaken the fight against corruption.

Sharing the dais at the HT Leadership Summit here, the three young leaders, each belonging to a political dynasty, said the regional parties have become very important in today's polity and can even dictate terms to the Centre.

"Power today lies with the regional parties due to coalition politics...You become indispensable to the government at the Centre and are able to dictate policy. States like West Bengal are able to stop FDI in multi-brand retail," Omar said.

Yadav maintained that the regional parties have become important as the ruling party at the Centre does not have numbers and needs their support.

Badal, however, pointed out that not all states enjoy the same power and the Centre does not care for smaller states like Himachal Pradesh. "It is a numbers game," he said.

Omar said it is debatable whether coalition politics is good for the country. "Probably not. Most people would say they support a single party rule. It is a tricky trade-off. Instability is not good," he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister cautioned against "knee-jerk, fly-off-the-handle reactions" from coalition partners and said it is not good for the country.

On the issue of corruption, Omar said it is impossible to eradicate corruption in a coalition politics as trade-offs become necessary in such governments. Yadav, however, maintained corruption can be fought and reduced but cannot be eradicated while Badal emphasised on the use of technology and removal of red-tape to fight corruption.

Badal said a lone Lokpal will not be able to fight corruption and "we need to change the present system."

"In my state, we have done away with affidavits completely. Land records are available online...We need to remove middlemen and exercise discretion," he said.

Yadav lamented that only small-time corruption is being fought.

Discussing the constraints of coalition politics, Omar said the Congress ministers in his government are accountable to their leader Sonia Gandhi but this has not hampered decision making.

The three leaders also deftly dealt with the issue of political legacy and how it has helped them advance their career at such a young age. They also rejected suggestions that they are considered "juniors".

Omar said family may help one get a "foot in the door" but after that it is up to the individual.

"Here (in India) you equate age with wisdom. I have learnt to live with that...I am chief minister of a coalition government and so was chosen by two parties, not due to my surname...Just because I am from a particular family does not mean I am incompetent," he said.

Yadav insisted that it is incorrect to say somebody else is running the government in Uttar Pradesh and he was made chief minister by all the senior leaders of his party.

"I have fought five elections and lost one. So I have seen the good and the bad," he said.

Badal defended his political legacy, saying "People have faith in a brand. And ours is not a family party. There have been several presidents and all from different families. I am fortunate to have worked under my father. He is an institution in himself. Family name counts everywhere."