Political leaders and their sartorial tastes

Apart from intellectual calibre or native intelligence of the leaders, what also goes into making a lasting impression on the public is their sartorial sense which becomes their style statement. Undoubtedly, those with a distinct style have a greater recall value among the voters.

If the leader is blessed with oratory skills, wit and an easy way of communicating with people, his or her battle is half won.

However, of the 294 legislators and 42 MPs from the State, only a small fraction of them stand out for their gift of the gab and unique dress sense.

Among the Congress woman legislators and former Ministers, Dr. J. Geetha Reddy and D.K. Aruna draw attention for their colourful and expensive silk saris.

With her good complexion, meticulous grooming, attractive personality and a good command over English and Telugu, Dr. Geetha Reddy leaves an instant impression.

The bejewelled Ms. Aruna is the first woman Minister who made diamonds and coordinated dressing fashionable.

With her choice of designer silk saris, dazzling diamond ear-rings and bangles, Ms. Aruna does not hesitate to flaunt her wealthy background.

Sabitha Indra Reddy and Suneetha Laxma Reddy come across as simple with their understated sense of style. But, they are equally popular and respected in their constituencies.

K. Kavitha, contesting in her maiden election on the TRS ticket, has succeeded in emerging as a carefully cultivated icon of Telangana culture by transforming Telangana festivals into public celebrations.

She is another leader who has made a mark with her sartorial taste.

Nannapanei Rajakumari of Telugu Desam has, of course, made costume jewellery, colourful glass bangles and colourful cotton, handloom and silk saris her trademark.

Among male politicians, the State does not have many with a distinct style of dressing on the lines of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi whose crisp kurtas, stylishly cut colourful waist coats and ‘kanduvas’ with embroidered, printed ‘lotus’ motifs make a style statement. Telugu Desam president Chandrababu Naidu is always seen in stiffly starched trousers and shirt with carefully trimmed and well maintained French beard.

The frail-looking TRS leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao is more popular for his incisive remarks, native humour in Telangana dialect and pink ‘kanduva’.

Congress leaders Uttam Kumar Reddy and Sridhar Babu made Nehru coats their signature style while T.G. Venkatesh always sports expensive ‘bandh gala’ suits.