Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi present a striking contrast, especially in their wardrobes. One keeps it threadbare and simple; the other makes politics a fashion parade.
Rahul Gandhi’s dress code is almost aggressively minimal. A plain white T-shirt, cargo-style khaki pants, and in winter, a black bomber jacket—full stop. No costume changes, no colour wheel. The 55-year-old former “Pappu” is neatly groomed, sporting a well-maintained salt-and-pepper beard, but otherwise seems determined to let his clothes fade into the background.
“I am often asked why I always wear a white T-shirt,” Gandhi wrote on X. “This T-shirt symbolizes transparency, solidity, and simplicity for me.” In short: no layers, no filters, no fashion footnotes.
Now, enter Narendra Modi.
If Gandhi is monochrome, Modi is Technicolour. Among all Indian prime ministers, and perhaps many global leaders, Modi stands out as the most colour-conscious. He doesn’t just wear clothes; he curates spectacles. His crisply tailored outfits dominate the visual field, coordinated with more precision than a Bollywood dance sequence shot from five angles.
Modi’s wardrobe is an ever-expanding archive, attire for every occasion, every climate, every camera angle. Reports suggest he changes outfits multiple times a day, a habit that speaks to an obsessive commitment to image-building, stitched together with meticulous grooming.
When Modi appears in public, you don’t just hear the message; you watch the costume change.
Gandhi speaks in white; Modi performs in colour. One keeps it plain to make a point. The other makes the point in couture.
In Indian politics, it seems, some leaders dress to blend in—and some dress to steal the spotlight.
-Promod Puri
promodpuri.com
Promod Puri.com 