After controversy, MP Minister says no to shoes with laces

Chhindwara: Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen, who landed in a controversy after he was caught by TV cameras getting his shoe laces allegedly tied by a tribal student, today swore before media that from now onwards, he would only wear shoes without laces.

"I swear that from now onwards, I will not wear any shoes with laces. I have specially brought from Pune six pairs of shoes without laces," Bisen told reporters here on Sunday.

Bisen landed in a controversy after he was caught by TV cameras getting his shoe laces tied by a minor tribal student at a public function at Khamra in the presence of Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath two days back.

However, he had said that following his bypass surgery, doctors advised him not to bend forward, after which he employed this student- Chhotu to take care of his personal needs.

The minister, however, said that one should be cautious in public life and should not indulge in such activities.

He said that when the boy saw that he was finding it difficult to tie the shoelace, he himself came to his help.

Bisen claimed that the 18-year-old boy Shubham (Chotu) is his relative and not a tribal.

He strongly criticised Kamal Nath and Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Kantilal Bhuria for "spreading a lie that the boy is a tribal without verifying facts."