Provided herein is a cationic polymer obtainable by polymerization of at least one cationic monomer, at least one crosslinker and optionally further monomers, such as nonionic monomers, associative monomers, and/or chain transfer agents. The cationic polymer has an at least bimodal molecular weight distribution with at least one first peak (P1) and at least one second peak (P2), wherein the first peak has a rather low average sedimentation coefficient of ≤10 Sved and the second peak has a rather high average sedimentation coefficient of ≥10,000 Sved. The water-soluble polymer components of the cationic polymer are ≥25% by weight related to the total amount of cationic polymer. Further provided herein is a process for obtaining such a cationic polymer as well as to an inverse dispersion, a thickener or a deposition aid, including at least one of such cationic polymers.