With elections round the corner, shopkeepers in the Bihar dealing in khadi apparels are making a huge business as political workers, especially from the NDA camp, are making a beeline for these shops to purchase Narendra Modi-style half-sleeve kurtas and ‘angvastrams’.
Most of the khadi shops at Maurya Lok Complex, MLA Flats campus, Boring Road, Hathwa Market and in other localities of the city are thronged by political activists every day and their sales have nearly doubled.
“I have been running this shop for the last 26 years, but the sales have increased manifold prior to the assembly election. The number of leaders and party workers coming to buy khadi and get a pair of kurta-pyjama has also increased,” Suleman, who runs a shop on the MLA Flats campus said.
“Earlier, I used to sell 5 to 10 sets of kurta-pyjamas per day which has increased to 20 sets now. During electioneering, many buyers take the material in bulk,” Nasir who hails from Madhubani district and has been in the business for more than a decade said “Our tailors are working overtime to complete the orders,” he added.
“Kurta-pyjamas made of khadi, or handspun cotton, are no longer a favourite with Indian politicians as they used to be, but during elections, khadi is back in demand with a surge in its sales,” Ramnik Tiwary, owner of a khadi shop on Maurya Lok complex said.
During the last one month, Modi-style kurtas have become a rage as many party workers and even common people want to wear this model. “Many people are demanding Modi kurta,” a shop owner Suresh Kumar said. Avinash Parekh, a businessman in Khaitan Market, said, “I generally wear shirts and trousers, but the Narendra Modi line of clothes has appealed to me a lot. I have bought many kurtas, churidars and chappals as I want to emulate Modi who is an inspiration for me.”
A NaMo kurta is available in the range of Rs 300 to Rs 500. A salesman at a popular shop at Maurya Lok complex said, “We have placed orders for more NaMo kurtas and churidars. These kurtas will cost between Rs 350 and Rs 600 per piece depending on the material.”
