This Chandigarh shop’s kurtas have become a hit with politicians in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal this poll season, let’s find out why

In the last 15 days alone, Pankaj Tailors has delivered 300 kurtas to various politicians. It has two outlets – one at Sector 17 and the other at the Elante Mall in Chandigarh.

“Because there are many back-to-back events, most politicians prefer wrinkle-free fabric. The material doesn’t get crumpled. We use only premium fabric like Giza cotton – it’s wrinkle-free and a decently glazed fabric that gives a very chic look to men’s kurtas. I have made kurtas for Tandonji and used to make them for his late father as well,” Mukesh Prasad, owner of Pankaj Tailors, told The Indian Express. The Giza cotton kurta comes for Rs 6,000 apiece, whereas a linen kurta can cost up to Rs 10,000.

Prasad says that Haryana leaders earlier preferred ‘paper cotton’ kurtas but are now choosing only linen ones. BJP leaders like Sanjay Tandon and Congress leaders, too, are going for mostly linen and wrinkle-free fabric, particularly the Giza cotton.

Just this week, a JJP leader from Haryana ordered 14 similarly designed linen kurtas, and Chandigarh Congress President H S Lucky bought five from Pankaj Tailors, adds the proud owner.  Even Punjab leaders like Parminder Dhindsa to singer Hanraj Raghuvanshi, Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri to Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, all have got their kurtas from Pankaj Tailors.

Just this week, a JJP leader from Haryana ordered 14 similarly designed linen kurtas, and Chandigarh Congress President H S Lucky bought five from Pankaj Tailors. (Express Photo)

Speaking about the various designs, Prasad says, “The younger lot prefers to have a double pocket flap on both sides or sometimes a check pattern on the collar and cuffs… with Burberry fabric on the traditional white, while the middle-aged and slightly senior ones prefer simple sweat-free linen kurtas.”

“Because they (kurtas) will have to be worn back to back in rallies and events and our elections are being held in the peak summer season, he (Lucky) too has asked for linen kurtas. We get a very premium fabric from Mumbai and Surat,” he adds.

Talking about the sartorial choices of political leaders, Prasad says, “While Congress workers prefer pure white kurtas, BJP supporters and leaders prefer to have light-coloured kurtas too. But all have been seeking a linen fabric since that is now in vogue.”

Sanjay Tandon’s wife Priya Tandon says, “We mostly choose pastel colours in summer for him (Sanjay Tandon) and happy colours in winter since he is really short on time. Usually, what he wears in the morning, he wears it throughout the day as he doesn’t get time to change. We got some kurtas from Pankaj Tailors but our regular tailor is KK Tailors in Sector 22. I just need to give them the fabric and they know how to make Tandonji’s kurtas.”

Voting for all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held on May 25. Whereas 13 seats in Punjab, four in Himachal Pradesh, and the lone Chandigarh UT seat will go to the polls on June 1.