Unusual sight: Odisha minister distributes newspapers in Balasore

Balasore: Denizens of Odisha’s Balasore town woke up to a pleasant surprise this morning as Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi was seen distributing newspapers in some areas here.

Riding a bicycle, the minister visited many households in Kacheri Bazar, Nua Bazar and Ranipatna areas of the town and distributed newspapers. He apprised the residents about the reopening of tourist spots across the state and suggested them to visit those.

Locals were surprised to see the new avatar of Panigrahi while many of them clicked photos with the minister.

On being asked whether the act was a part of campaigning for the BJD ahead of the Balasore Sadar bypoll, Panigrahi denied it and said it was his responsibility as the Tourism Minister to inform people about the tourist spots. “I didn’t seek votes for the party while distributing newspapers,” he said.