Why shouldn’t leaders spend their salaries on things they like? Omar Abdullah defends Rahul Gandhi over jacket

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference working President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday defended Congress President Rahul Gandhi after Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked him for allegedly wearing a jacket worth Rs 70,000.

In an apparent retort to Rahul Gandhi's suit-boot ki sarkar jibe, the BJP has claimed the Congress President wore a jacket worth Rs 70,000 at a concert oragnised by his party in the poll-bound state while being "indifferent" to the woes of people.

In a tweet, the BJP alleged the Congress government in Meghalaya was mired in corruption. It said instead of attending a musical event, Gandhi should have given a report card of the state government.

The tweet suggesting that the jacket worn by Gandhi was bought with black money, drew a sharp reaction from Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury, who alleged the BJP was leading a "suit-boot ki sarkar" at the Centre, and had no moral authority to question Gandhi.

However, Omar Abdullah defended Rahul Gandhi without mentioning his name in a tweet and said, "Kanni shawls or Burberry jackets. If our leaders want to dress well then good for them. Why shouldn’t they spend their salaries on things they like?."

Kanni shawls or Burberry jackets. If our leaders want to dress well then good for them. Why shouldn’t they spend their salaries on things they like?

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) January 31, 2018

Gandhi is in Meghalaya to campaign for the party for the upcoming Assembly polls.

He had attended the concert in Shillong, apparently to reach out to the young voters.

Dressed in blue denim trousers and a black jacket, he urged the youth to love and respect each other to make the country strong.