Maharashtra Minister in fresh controversy staff seen carrying her slippers

Mumbai/Hyderabad, August 13: Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde once again was caught in a fresh controversy. One of her staff was seen carrying her slippers during her recent tour of drought-affected areas in the State created a storm. Minister Munde toured Sonpeth in Parbhani district on Wednesday. She took off her slippers as the road was muddy and walked barefoot. One of her staff carried her slippers, which the media focused on. Opposition parties, especially Congress leaders severely criticised the Minister over this incident. When questioned about the incident, Minister Munde retorted with questions. "Media has seen my staff carrying my slippers. Did it see me walking barefoot and the problems I faced?" Finally she added that the person who carried her slippers was not a government employee. But my personal employee. The Minister also suggested to the media that the real news is the drought and the farmers' conditions and problems. Congress official spokesperson Al Nassir Zakaria commented, "This incident shows her attitude and highhandedness. What good she can do to farmers and public when she makes the poor to carry her slippers?"