Indian PM's garment sets Guinness World Record as most expensive suit ever sold

A suit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sold at an auction for astounding 700,000 U.S. dollars has been recognized as "the most expensive suit (clothing) sold" by the Guinness Book of World Records, India's news agency ANI reported Saturday.

The suit, with Modi's name woven into it in gold pinstripes, became globally known after being worn by the Indian leader in his meeting with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama in January of last year.

The monogrammed garment, mocked by many opposition parliament members as a "gimmick" only to prove the prime minister was "self-obsessed" and "narcissist," was auctioned later in February of 2015 along with 400 other gifts Modi had received since becoming prime minister to collect money for a Ganges River-cleaning fund.

Laljibhai Patel, a diamond baron and private airline owner from the Indian state of Gujarat, bought the suit for 43,131,311 rupees, or 693,174 U.S. dollars.

The 62-year-old bidder said he would display the suit at his factory, noting "it's a matter of pride that a suit worn by Narendra Modi will now be mine."

The suit was reportedly a gift of Indian businessman Ramesh Virani to Modi on his son's wedding.

Source : XINHUA