Candidates shun white signature dress, add colour to poll campaign

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News service

Jammu, November 27

The interesting attires of politicians have lent colour to the election campaign in the state.

Gone are the days when white kurta pyjama or khadi dress used to be the identity of politicians. Politicians are now choosing multi-coloured dresses, depending on their personality, party’s flag or the colour which reflects their loyalty to a particular community or the constituency where from they are contesting.

Politicians are not only attracting voters, but are also trying to convey a silent message by dressing the way people want to see them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coloured jackets during his rallies in the Lok Sabha elections in April-May this year grabbed much attention.

State BJP leaders are trying to copy Modi's dressing style in the election campaign.

Candidates such as Kavinder Gupta, BJP candidate from the Gandhi Nagar Constituency, Sat Sharma, candidate from Jammu West, Rajesh Gupta from Jammu East and other candidates of the BJP prefer to wear bright coloured kurta pyjama and sleeveless jacket with a party scarf on the shoulder.

They mainly prefer saffron colour during their campaign.

Congress leaders wear the traditional white kurta pyjama with a khadi jacket.

Leaders of the National Conference (NC) are famous for their western dressing which includes branded suits and sunglasses.

However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, only star campaigner of the NC, has kept it simple and wears a phiran during his campaigning.

The main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is known for green colour, which is also the colour of the party flag. In some of the rallies, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti wears a green 'abaya' (loose robe-like dress).

Political analyst Rekha Chowdhary said: “Individually, I don’t think the dress can help a politician, but it is a part of the overall image of the political party and the candidate. Wearing the local dress, using local language once in a while during campaign can’t help alone, but it can add something if the politician is well connected with the people.”

“It was started by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She used to wear a dogri suit in Jammu and phiran in Kashmir. The concept is being followed by various political parties over the years,” Rekha said.

BJP candidates inspired by Modi

* Candidates such as Kavinder Gupta, BJP candidate from the Gandhi Nagar Constituency, Sat Sharma, candidate from Jammu West, Rajesh Gupta from Jammu East and other candidates of the BJP prefer to wear bright coloured kurta pyjama and sleeveless jacket with a party scarf on the shoulder.

* NC leaders are famous for their western dressing which includes branded suits and sunglasses.

* Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, only star campaigner of the NC, has kept it simple and wears a phiran during his campaigning.