The best and the badly dressed Netas 

From crumpled clothes to designer sarees, from peep-toe heels to plain chappals, India truly is a mix of the modern and traditional when it comes to how our politicians dress up. While Mamata Banerjee sticks to her Bengali sarees, young guns like Jyotiraditya Scindia like to look more savvy. Then there is Rahul Gandhi’s trademark white kurta-pyjama and Navjot Singh Sidhu’s colourful shirts. Here’s our list of the best-dressed and some badly dressed netas.

Best dressed netas:

1.      Gone are his days of wearing a simple kurta-churidhar. BJP’s prime-ministerial candidate Narendra Modi looks like he is gearing up for the country’s top job especially through his clothes. While the Gujarat chief minister has always been a stickler for well-fitted, crisp and ironed outfits, his recent public appearances show that he is definitely going all out. Today Modi has moved away from dull kurtas to bright fabrics like linen and prefers half-sleeves. He is even seen wearing the Nehru jacket quite often. Modi’s clothes are all reportedly sourced from a couture store - Jade Blue - in his home state. Bipin Chauhan, who has been Modi’s personal tailor for many years now, runs the store.

While the BJP hotshot is most comfortable in traditional Indian wear, we hear he does have a selection of suits in his closet.

For his improved dressing, trimmer beard and of late impeccable style, Narendra Modi tops our ‘best dressed’ list.

2.      You can’t really go wrong with your dressing if you happen to be pretty much running the country. Congress president Sonia Gandhi is No 2 on our ‘Best dressed’ list because she always seems to get it right. While her style is simple, elegant and sophisticated, it works well for this Italy-born politician.

A young and newly wed Sonia Gandhi saw her in some interesting Western outfits. But over the years, she has moved away from that image. While she once had straight, silky hair, she now likes to keep it short. Sonia Gandhi is today seen in traditional Indian wear that includes sarees and salwars. Sonia Gandhi gets a thumbs-up for colours, style and just the way she carries herself.

3.      She is referred to as India’s ‘Dream Girl’ for a reason. Former MP and BJP member Hema Malini is one of those politicians who turns heads. In a good way.

She doesn’t look anywhere close to 65, and is as glamorous and stylish as she was as a young actress on-screen. Whether it’s kanjeevarams, chiffons or tussar silks, Hema Malini looks stunningly beautiful. Add to it some gorgeous pieces of jewellery.

4.      We wonder how our netas got their work done when she was in Parliament. There is a dying breed of those who wear the elegant south Indian veshti. Finance Minister P Chidambaram is one of those who swears by it. This suave and articulate gentleman is probably one of the few people who can even carry it off with ease.

But even as this top Congress leader is largely seen in this trademark attire, he does shed the look for international events and goes for the suits.

For his simplicity and unique style.

5.      Being the Prime Minister of India is probably reason enough for Dr Manmohan Singh to be on this list.

A man of few words he may be, but Dr Singh’s personal style speaks volumes. While he largely plays it safe both with colours and outfits, it’s non-fussy and practical. He dresses for the occasion, mixing it up with traditional Indian clothes, western attire and sometimes even a suitable mix of the two.

Badly dressed netas:

1.       She may belong to royalty. But Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje doesn’t exactly portray the ‘royal’ image. Some of the sarees she wears are best worn behind closed doors and not for public events.

While we don’t expect her to pile on a few diamonds and wear outrageously expensive sarees, she could simply start paying more attention to what she wears.

Given that her home state Rajasthan produces some amazing work on fabric, Raje needs to rejig her wardrobe a little.

2.      She is a five-time MP and the first woman Speaker in the Indian Parliament. Meira Kumar has a tough job. But her style statement doesn’t elude any toughness. Her drab sarees and boring maroon-coloured lipstick make her look older than she probably is.

This power woman can easily up her style sense and bring in some pizzazz to her closet. Take a cue from your party leader, Madam Speaker.

3.      RJD chief Laloo Prasad should be thankful for his sparky sense of humour.

With the hairy ears and ‘son of the soil’ image, Laloo is one politician who takes the style out of style statement.

4.      She is fierce and rebellious. BJP leader Uma Bharati is known for her powerful oratory skills. But when it comes to dressing up, this former Chief Minister ranks quite low.

5.      Always dressed in saffron robes because of her pledge to sanyas, Uma Bharati seems to be carrying her saffron ideology through her clothes as well. Her unkempt look is so not cool. And for that she finds herself on the 'Worst Dressed' list

All this and you always see Rahul Gandhi in a white kurta-pyjama, with sleeves rolled up. For someone who tries to project a ‘Young India’ image, it would help his cause to actually try and look young.

We get the whole ‘serious’, ‘I’m one of you’ look. But we are also kinda tired of it.

Up until a few years ago, the Gandhi scion at least made an effort to dress for the occasion. Be it suits, printed shirts or jeans. Today it looks like he owns just one type of clothing, all in the same colour.

While we agree that it’s probably comfort that Rahul is looking at, he can afford to once in a while roll back his sleeves (not literally please, Rahul, you’re doing enough of that already) and try on some different clothes.

Take a cue or two from mom and sis, Rahul.