Balasore: In an incident that is going to mar the simplistic image of Union Minister of State Pratap Sarangi, it has come to the fore wherein the Pilot vehicle of his convoy chased down two tourist vehicles for overtaking his car. This happened when Union Minister Pratap Sarangi was heading towards for a meeting and two tourist vehicles over took his car near Basta. The minister asked the pilot vehicle to chase them which they did and took them to the nearest Basta Police station. They were detained at the police station under the Motor Vehicle Act for 5 hours and let off only after an undertaking. The tourists were returning to Kolkata from Panchalingeswar. Santosh Shaw, one of the tourists said, they overtook the Minister’s vehicle when the pilot vehicle was not there on the highway and they never knew that it is wrong to overtake the Minister’s vehicle.
Pratap Sarangi, well known for his simplicity and austerity is often seen interacting and mingling with common people. Two days back he was seen riding a bicycle of a child in Jaleswar. But this particular incident raises questions on his behavior. It has become a talk of the town and people are mocking this as true face of the Minister.