(From top) Minister of culture and youth affairs Sukhda Pandey, JD (U) MLAs Neeraj Kumar Babloo and Neeta Choudhury. Pictures by Deepak Kumar

Patna, March 24: Gold has often been associated with purity. But for Bihar legislators and ministers, it seems to be a power symbol.

The Telegraph took a close look at the legislators during the ongoing Assembly session and found most of them fond of sporting gold ornaments in the House. They believe gold is a symbol of power.

Neeraj Kumar Babloo, a JD (U) MLA from Raghopur, loves to wear heavy gold chains and bracelets in his right hand. As the weather demands now, he keeps the top button of his shirt or kurta open “unintentionally” for some fresh air. His gold chain keeps shining.

While talking to other legislators, Babloo keeps his gestures intact. There too, his shining bracelet steals conversations.

With the crown of 18 criminal cases against him, JD (U) MLA Manoranjan Singh from Ekma Assembly seat loves to sport gold chains and bracelets. He flaunts them in the Assembly with élan.

Those dislike ornaments opt for watches and cuff links. They are more practical options as both go with the trend and serve the purpose of wearing costly jewellery.

Tribeniganj MLA Amla Devi of the JD (U) enters the Assembly with a sparkling smile. Wearing a sparkler gold chain and ear pendants, she quipped: “I love wearing gold jewellery because it suits my personality and goes well with my status.”

However, she opted not to reveal the price of her ornaments.

BJP MLA from Ramnagar, Bhagirathi Devi, wears gold necklace pierced with rudraksha.

Former art and culture minister and BJP MLA from Bettiah Assembly seat, Renu Devi, too, is fond of long and heavy gold chains with rudraksha.

Annu Shukla, JD (U) MLA from Lalganj, prefers wearing designer gold jewellery.

When enquired, she proudly said: “There is no harm in wearing it. Gold symbolises my personality.”

Bihar industry and disaster management minister Renu Kumari is one of those who prefer replacing old jewellery with heavy ones.

JD (U) MLA from Digha Assembly seat Punam Devi claims to be wearing the most expensive gold chain among the legislators. Believe it or not, an RJD MLA said Punam’s gold chain cost her around Rs 1 lakh.

When asked, she preferred to stay silent. But we heard that Punam.

Sanjay Shrivastav, a professor at National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna, said: “Though jewellery is women’s department, in today’s fashion-conscious world men don’t want to stay behind in any area. The contemporary man has adopted the norms of wearing gold ornaments as they wish to stay trendy and stylish. Designers are creating exotic patterns of gold ornaments and the politicians are splurging on them. Politicians mostly wear white khadi kurta and only gold goes well with the outfit.”

On a serious note, experts claim politicians wearing gold ornaments is not a good sign.

“Politicians should not display any kind of wealth as it disconnects them from masses and sends a wrong message. They should wear simple and sober jewellery, which don’t grab eyeballs. The trend of wearing gold ornaments is evident among politicians from south India but now even north Indians prefer them,” Shrivastav said.

He added: “A close scrutiny will reveal that experienced politicians do not indulge in such things. New politicians, who have become successful only recently, flaunt their wealth.”