Indian minister tied up in shoelace row Gauri Shankar Bisen, a minister in the state government of Madhya Pradesh, has apologised and admitted that it was a "mistake" to have the young student work on his shoes as he awaited the start of an event in the state. He added: "I admit it was my mistake and I am sorry for it. 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. Mr Bison said the opposition Congress party was "lying" that the boy belonged to a tribal community. He doesn't, he is... from the same caste as me. We have family relations," he said. Congress minister Kamal Nath said th incident was "the most obnoxious episode" he had seen in 31 years of representing his constituency.