As elections approach, tailors of Patna have returned to work again.

As the elections approach, Birchand Patel Path in Patna comes alive, connecting the offices of Bihar’s three major political parties – BJP, JD(U) and RJD – ​​with the CPI office a short distance away.

With political activity intensifying, the number of politicians and media personnel alike is witnessing an increase.

Along with such activities, another group of professionals is gaining momentum – makeshift tailoring shops and street cloth vendors.

Local people say that this has almost become a tradition. Beyond business, these roadside shops hold stories of heritage, livelihood and quiet pride.

Patna resident Raja (27), who manages one such shop, said, “We have been running this shop for more than 40 years.”

He said, “My father and grandfather used to sit here. Now I am.”

Seventy-year-old tailor Aftab Khan recalled the busy times.

“Twenty-five years ago, this place used to be crowded with people asking for kurtas and pajamas during elections. Now, things have changed. There are very few customers,” he said.

MD Faiyaz (31), a resident of Bhagalpur, said he has worked on the road for more than two decades. “I started when I was a kid. This place is like home,” he said.

Another shopkeeper, who declined to be named, said his family had run a tailoring shop for about 70 years near the old MLA flats, which have since been demolished and rebuilt. “Now, the new complex hardly leaves any space. But we remain in business,” he said.

Faiyaz’s father Mohammad Zubair Ansari also said the same thing. “These new buildings are inaccessible. Earlier we used to get visibility. Now we don’t,” he said.

Ansari said that sewing helped him support his family. He said, “Faiyaz is my youngest son. The eldest son is a teacher in a government school, the middle one runs a clothes shop near the High Court. I have educated all my children, including four daughters. They are all doing well.”

Although he has ancestral land in his native village, Ansari believes that giving formal recognition to street vendors like him will help. “The government should allot land to regularize our profession and protect us from municipal corporation action,” he said.

Reflecting on the importance of his business, Ansari said, “We give birth to leaders. From the time they want their first ticket to the time they become ministers, we stitch their clothes.” However, he said with a laugh, “Once they grow up, they go to the Maurya folk for their suits.” MD Afroz, a relative newcomer from Vaishali, has been running his shop here for five years. He said the location and the number of customers, especially during elections, help sustain the business.

Nausher Bhai, who is trying for RJD ticket from Phulwarisharif, has got three sets of white kurta-pajama and bandi (half sleeve jacket) of different colors prepared at a shop.

“It’s the perfect place for aspiring politicians like us. Cheap and quick,” he said. Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a 40-year-old BJP party worker, was seen bargaining for clothes at a shop.

Balram Pandey of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh was sitting nearby. He agreed to the maroon striped kurta fabric and said, “I am preparing the clothes for the upcoming festivals.” “After all, elections are not the only occasion to dress up,” he said with a smile.