Election style: Fashion comes alive on Beerchand Patel Path | Patna News
Patna: As the assembly elections draw near, Patna’s Beerchand Patel Path has transformed into the city’s political nerve centre, buzzing with strategy, announcements and now, an unexpected marker of campaign culture – the humble kurta-pyjama. Behind the official offices, a narrow lane near Patna high court has emerged as a hive of activity, lined with makeshift shops offering quick-stitched traditional attire for politicians and party workers alike.For many, the kurta is a symbol of identity, projecting the disciplined, approachable, yet authoritative ‘Neta Ji’ image. Mohammad Irfan, 36, who runs one of these shops, said the number of customers surges during the campaign season. “Though people have started coming, we expect the number to increase in a couple of days after the seat sharing is clear and the symbols are allotted,” he said.When asked about preferred materials, style and colour, Irfan said, “White is evergreen. It is the most in demand. As far as fabric is concerned, they mainly look for khadi or linen, though we have some more options. In fact, of recent, the craze for linen has increased.” Prices range widely – khadi from Rs 180 per metre to Rs 500 per metre, and linen from Rs 500 to Rs 2,200 per metre.“I will not name them, but yes, some of them who started their careers as workers and have now become big names have come to our shop. The thing is once they become big, they go to places like Maurya Lok,” Irfan added, highlighting how the shop has long served Bihar’s political community.Another tailor, Mohammad Naushad from Jehanabad, said while kurta-pyjama remains essential, many add a “bandi” to enhance their elite appearance. “The bandis for politicians or party workers are the simple ones, in basic colours, especially black. In fact, several of them associated with the BJP order saffron-coloured bandis,” he said. Naushad added that shirt-length kurtas, as popularised by leaders like Prashant Kishor, and the half-sleeve kurtas favoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are currently in trend.Md Faiyyaz (31), who hails from Bhagalpur, said he has worked on the street for over two decades. “I started as a child. This place is like home,” he said.Faiyyaz’s father Md Zubair Ansari added, “These new buildings are inaccessible. Earlier, we had visibility. Now we don’t.”Ansari said tailoring had helped him raise his family. “Faiyyaz is my youngest son. The eldest is a govt schoolteacher, the middle one runs a cloth shop near the high court. I educated all my children, including four daughters. They are all doing well,” he said.Though he owns ancestral land in his native village, Ansari believes formal recognition of street vendors like him would help. “The govt should allot land to regularise our profession and save us from Nagar Nigam actions,” he said.Reflecting on the significance of their trade, Ansari said, “We give birth to leaders. From the time they seek their first ticket to when they become ministers, we stitch their clothes.”However, he added with a laugh, “Once they become big, they head to Maurya Lok for their suits.”Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a BJP party worker in his 40s, was spotted bargaining for clothes at one of the shops.Sitting nearby was Balram Pandey of Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh. Sealing his approval for a maroon striped kurta cloth, he said, “I am getting clothes readied for the upcoming festivals.”“Elections, after all, are not the only occasions to get dressed up,” he added.(With agency inputs)
