From Arvind Kejriwal's muffler to Modi's kurta: Celebrating politicians' sartorial tastes

For a long time, India has not seen sartorial statements from politicians that have gone on to become definitive fashion staples in the political sphere. But now, there appear to be some alternatives to the sleeveless jacket and white kurta ensemble, initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru, updated and contemporised by his grandson Rajiv Gandhi, and carried forward by his great-grandson Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress carelessly dropping its copyright on the topi named after an unrelated Gandhi has led to its inspired adoption by the avowedly surname-less Aam Aadmis and their Party as the symbol of gender-bending, urban unsophistication. And Narendra Modi’s forearm-baring take on the classic kurta seems to be poised for a national ramp-up after channelling his muscular message successfully in his home state.

While a signature handbag from Mayawati is eagerly awaited as a possible (Dal)It bag of the election collection, the surprise showstopper from last season’s poll catwalk, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s multipurpose muffler, could set off a trend too. Fashion doyenne Ritu Kumar’s reported offer at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Republic Day to design a special one for him could be seen as the industry’s acknowledgement of the long-term potential of this humble accessory as the badge of post-AAPocalypse renegade chic.