<p>Odisha's Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabh Behera courted controversy on Sunday after a video showing a man holding his shoes during the Republic Day celebration in Keonjhar district went viral on the internet.</p>.<p>In the video, a man, who is yet to be identified, was seen holding the minister's shoes while he was unfurling the national flag at the district headquarters of Keonjhar.</p>.<p>The man was seen placing it near Behera's feet after the minister had hoisted the tricolour.</p>.<p>Behera, however, dismissed the allegation.</p>.<p>"As a mark of respect to the tricolour, I had taken out my shoes while hoisting the national flag. Nobody was holding my shoes," Behera said. </p>
<p>Odisha's Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabh Behera courted controversy on Sunday after a video showing a man holding his shoes during the Republic Day celebration in Keonjhar district went viral on the internet.</p>.<p>In the video, a man, who is yet to be identified, was seen holding the minister's shoes while he was unfurling the national flag at the district headquarters of Keonjhar.</p>.<p>The man was seen placing it near Behera's feet after the minister had hoisted the tricolour.</p>.<p>Behera, however, dismissed the allegation.</p>.<p>"As a mark of respect to the tricolour, I had taken out my shoes while hoisting the national flag. Nobody was holding my shoes," Behera said. </p>