This Article is From Jan 22, 2012

Regret shoelace incident happened in public, says Madhya Pradesh minister

Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh: A day after he was seen getting his shoelaces tied by a boy at a public function in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, Cooperatives Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen has admitted the act was wrong. He says the boy is a part of his family but the incident should not have happened in public.

Mr Bisen claims that following a surgery, doctors advised him not to bend forward after which he employed the boy to take care of his personal needs.

According to reports, while a road project inauguration function was underway, Cooperatives Minister Bisen reportedly called the boy to tie his shoelaces - not once but twice.

Sensing media persons present at the function taking note of his act, the BJP minister's supporters quickly whisked him away. The boy is now reportedly untraceable.

Union Minister Kamal Nath was also present at the function when the incident happened. He was sitting right next to Mr Bisen, who is a cabinet minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led state government. In his defence, the union mister said he "did not notice" the boy tying Mr Bisen's shoelaces. "I did not notice it. And if I had seen it, I would have of course condemned it there and then. In my 31 years of representing the Chindwara district in Parliament, this is the most obnoxious event that has happened. It deserves to be condemned. I was hurt that it happened at an event where I was present."

The issue has given state Congress leaders fresh reasons to attack Bisen and the BJP.

"This act shows the attitude of Bisen towards tribals and minor students. It is also another example of the kind of ministers in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet. We will protest soon on the issue to get Bisen removed from the cabinet," said Congress spokesperson KK Mishra.

(With IANS Inputs)
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