This paper discusses a dominant group in local politics of Sumenep that is based on a pesantren network that is usually referred to as the Bani Syarqawi. The author argues that the superiority of religious clerics (Kyai) over the mass in Sumenep has been mainly based on their adaptability to the transformational change of their role from traditional - charismatic to rational -authoritative by means of educational exellence and genealogical network that is both powerful and full conflict.