Flags of honour

A Biju Janata Dal (BJD) minister in Odisha found a novel way to keep the party flag flying - literally - when Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the state last week to inaugurate a highway project at Pipili. While hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) flags fluttered at the venue, state agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy wrapped a green BJD flag round his neck like a scarf as he sat on the dais with other dignitaries. Though protests from BJP members forced him to remove it, the purpose was served.