Shivraj Singh Chouhan, CM Madhya Pradesh state was seen being carried by officials through ankle-deep muddy water. PHOTO SOURCE: TWITTER @SAGAR PATIL
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state, was shown wearing crisp white trousers and white shoes and being carried aloft through the water in a field, trailed by his entourage.
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The photo of a smiling Chouhan with his arms wrapped around the two officers made newspaper front pages and sparked an outpouring of ridicule on Twitter.
Most comments were lighthearted. In India, politicians are almost always flanked by a legion of fawning officials and security guards.
"Shame on #Shivrajsinghchouhan. So embarrassing #wetyourfeet my man," Twitter user Jennifer Fernandes wrote.
@BDUTT Just can't shake off the zamindari yoke. Shame on #ShivrajSinghChouhan So embarrassing #WetYourFeet my man pic.twitter.com/oKxmFT39HF
— Be the Change👊🏻 aka Jennifer Fernandes (@nandtara) August 21, 2016
What is the meaning of this @shivrajsinghc Shameful privilege pic.twitter.com/I4hcrqDYin
— Be the Change👊🏻 aka Jennifer Fernandes (@nandtara) August 21, 2016
"#Shivraj training Indian athletes for 400M Relay 2020 Olympics," read another.
But Chouhan was also accused of abusing his position, with comparisons drawn to the treatment of British officials during colonial times.
Government officials were quoted as blaming overzealous minders for the incident. Another said Chouhan hurt his foot and there was also concern about snakes in the water.
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Chouhan himself posted several pictures of his flood visit on Twittter but skipped the controversial one, while his office denied on Monday releasing the image.
Floods triggered by monsoon rains have claimed hundreds of lives across India. In Madhya Pradesh at least 15 people have died after rivers burst and flooded villages, the Press Trust of India news agency said.
An Indian TV journalist was sacked in 2013 after he filed a report about deadly floods while perched on a survivor's shoulders.
The reporter claimed the man who carried him while standing in ankle-high water had hoisted him onto his shoulders as a sign of respect.
#MadhyaPradesh CM #ShivrajSinghChouhan carried by police during visit to flood-affected areas pic.twitter.com/Ghj0ZjQ6HN
— Nellutla Kavitha (@iamKavithaRao) August 21, 2016
#ShivrajSinghChouhan is now first flood affected CM he was rescued in 6 inches of water to save his shoes and clothes
— omkar nath giri (@omkargiri) August 22, 2016
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