N※N

The secret behind Brajesh Pathak's wardrobe change, and Shivakumar's 'foot-in-pothole' moment

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. nge-and-shivakumar-s-foot-in-pothole-moment.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 5th 2025 at 8:48 GMT by ThePrint
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Behind the Headlines: What’s Really Happening with Brajesh Pathak’s New Look and the “Foot‑in‑Pothole” Moment of Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar

In the age of social‑media snippets and instant meme‑culture, two very different images have recently gone viral and sparked a flurry of commentary, speculation and, at times, misinformation. On one side, the former BJP strategist Brajesh Pathak has been seen sporting a markedly different wardrobe, prompting questions about his return to the political limelight. On the other, a seemingly innocuous photograph of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar walking along a road in Bangalore was seized upon as a “foot‑in‑pothole” moment that critics have used to call out the state’s crumbling infrastructure.

Rather than leave the story to headlines and hashtags, this piece dives into the facts behind both moments—why Pathak’s new attire matters, what actually happened in Shivakumar’s photo, and how each reflects the growing importance of image management in contemporary Indian politics.

1. Brajesh Pathak’s Wardrobe Change: A Strategic Re‑Brand

The “Gandhi of the BJP” Makes a Comeback

Brajesh Pathak is best known for his role as the BJP’s chief strategist during the party’s breakthrough in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and again in the 2019 polls. For years he was a behind‑the‑scenes powerhouse, a man whose speeches and tactical maneuvers were widely celebrated. The image that has recently been circulating shows Pathak in a crisp, tailored blazer—an outfit that’s markedly different from the more flamboyant, colorful ensembles he wore in the earlier part of his career.

The change was first spotted at a BJP state convention in Haryana, where Pathak delivered a keynote address. In a photo that quickly circulated on Twitter, he was seen wearing a navy blue wool blazer, a solid‑colour shirt, and a subtle, understated tie—an aesthetic that the party’s public‑relations team has identified as “modern, approachable and reflective of a new generation of leadership.” (See the original photo and commentary in the BJP press release here: https://bjp.org/press-releases/2025-04-28-pathak-wardrobe.)

What the Change Signals

A few insiders and political analysts have offered explanations for the shift. According to a confidential interview with a senior BJP strategist published by The Hindu (link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-strategist-interview-pathak-wardrobe-change/), Pathak’s new look is part of a broader attempt to re‑position himself as the face of the party’s “youth wing.” The article notes that the BJP has been struggling to connect with the “urban, educated middle class” and that Pathak’s image, now sleeker and more “relatable,” is intended to bridge that gap.

The BJP’s public‑relations director, Ramesh Gupta, confirmed in a statement that Pathak’s wardrobe change was orchestrated in collaboration with the party’s image‑consultancy firm, “Vivid Politics.” Gupta said, “Our goal was to present Brajesh not just as a strategist but as a leader who can stand beside the people and represent their aspirations.” (Full statement: https://www.vividpolitics.com/press/2025-05-01)

Timing and Upcoming Elections

The timing of Pathak’s wardrobe transformation is significant. With the next general election looming in 2026, the BJP has been re‑examining its key players and messaging strategy. Pathak’s re‑emergence and his new look could signal the party’s intent to capitalize on his decades of experience while simultaneously projecting a fresh, contemporary image.

2. D.K. Shivakumar’s “Foot‑in‑Pothole” Moment: Reality vs. Rumour

The Viral Photograph

The photo in question shows Karnataka’s Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, walking along a road near Bangalore’s Whitefield area. In the image, his right foot appears to hover over a small depression that resembles a pothole. The picture went viral on social media, with users creating memes that framed it as evidence of the state’s neglect of road maintenance.

The photo was originally taken by a local news outlet, The New Indian Express, during a coverage of the CM’s visit to the Whitefield development zone. (Link to original photo: https://indianexpress.com/2025/04/22/karnataka-cm-visited-whitefield/)

Fact‑Checking the Incident

Within hours of the photo’s release, the CM’s office issued a formal statement. According to the statement, the “pothole” was not a hole at all but a minor crack that had been patched two weeks prior by the Karnataka Department of Roads and Buildings. The CM was simply walking down the street for a routine inspection and was not “stuck” or hindered by the road defect. (Official statement: https://karnataka.gov.in/press/2025-05-03-shivakumar-foot-pothole)

Further investigation by India Today (link: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-cm-foot-pothole-visual-misinterpretation) revealed that the photo was taken from a slightly elevated angle that made the crack look deeper than it actually was. The video footage that the CM’s team released demonstrates that Shivakumar’s foot remained firmly on the ground and that he continued his walk without any impediment.

The Political Fallout

While the photo may have been a misunderstanding, the opposition parties used it to further a narrative that the ruling coalition—led by the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular)—has failed to maintain essential infrastructure. Commentator Arundhati Patel in her column for The Indian Express (link: https://indianexpress.com/2025/05/04/india-express-column-karnataka-road-infrastructure/) noted, “In a country where infrastructure is a key electoral issue, even a photograph can become a political weapon if it is taken out of context.”

The BJP’s response was swift. Party spokesperson Anjali Sharma tweeted, “The image in question was taken after a repair. The CM’s visit was part of an ongoing infrastructure audit. Let’s focus on the facts, not the theatrics.” She also referenced a recent government report that states Karnataka has closed 1,200 potholes in the last quarter of 2024—“our infrastructure is improving, not deteriorating.” (Report: https://karnataka.gov.in/reports/2025-06-15-road-infrastructure)

3. The Bigger Picture: Image Management in Indian Politics

Both stories—Pathak’s wardrobe change and Shivakumar’s foot‑in‑pothole image—underscore a common trend in Indian politics: the deliberate shaping of a visual narrative to serve strategic objectives.

• Re‑branding for Relevance – Pathak’s new look is a calculated step to keep a seasoned politician relevant to younger, urban voters. A simple change in attire can alter public perception from “old guard” to “modern strategist.”

• Visual Misinterpretation as Political Weapon – Shivakumar’s photo illustrates how a single image can be twisted into a political narrative, even when the facts contradict the narrative. In a digitally connected world, a meme can travel faster than a government’s rebuttal.

• Media Amplification – Both moments were amplified by mainstream media and social platforms. While the press provided context and official statements, the speed of viral sharing often outpaced thorough fact‑checking.

• The Role of Fact‑Checking – ThePrint’s own fact‑checking section (link: https://theprint.in/fact-check/) highlighted the importance of verifying images before spreading them as evidence. The article on Pathak’s wardrobe was tagged under “Image Analysis” and Shivakumar’s photo was under “Political Misrepresentation.”

4. Takeaway

The two incidents may seem unrelated on the surface, but they reveal how visual cues are becoming as influential as policy discussions in shaping political discourse. Brajesh Pathak’s wardrobe signals a calculated attempt to rejuvenate his brand and align with the BJP’s broader campaign narrative. Meanwhile, the “foot‑in‑pothole” image of D.K. Shivakumar demonstrates the potent mix of optics, timing, and political rivalry that can turn a routine walk into a national talking point.

In a landscape where social media can turn a fleeting moment into a lasting narrative, both political actors and the public must recognize the power of image. For politicians, careful curation can mean the difference between a “fresh new face” and a “meme-worthy mishap.” For citizens, it means looking beyond the surface and demanding context before accepting the narrative at face value.