Bhubaneswar, April 24 -- In the run-up to the 2024 elections in Odisha, 'Lungi,' a traditional costume, has taken centre stage in state politics. Lungi stormed onto the scene after a video of BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik clad in a lungi and appealing to the people to vote for Jodi Sankha (party's symbol), surfaced.

Naveen Patnaik's sudden sartorial leaning towards the lungi, that too before the elections, triggered reactions from BJP leaders on social media, who questioned the motive citing Odia culture, pride and tradition.

Earlier yesterday, apparently hurt by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's comments on the video, Naveen Patnaik's own party leaders Swayam Prakash Mohapatra and Sasmit Patra appeared at a press me...