Turkish minister takes a shine to shoe polishing

MERSIN, Turkey

A Turkish minister on Thursday polished the shoes of a 61-year-old shoeshiner during a tour of local shops and businesses in the southern province of Mersin.

Development Minister Lutfi Elvan, accompanied by a group of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party members, was touring the marketplace of central Mezitli district, when he ran into a shoeshiner working away in a street corner.

Salim Tokat told Anadolu Agency that he was very surprised when he saw Elvan in front of him.

"The minister polished my shoes, and told me that we were from the same town. I loved it," he said, adding he would tell all his friends and relatives about his 'encounter' with the minister.

After Elvan was finished polishing the man's shoes, the two posed for the cameras waiting for them.

Reporing by Sezgin Pancar; Writing by Handan Kazanci

MERSIN, Turkey

A Turkish minister on Thursday polished the shoes of a 61-year-old shoeshiner during a tour of local shops and businesses in the southern province of Mersin.

Salim Tokat told Anadolu Agency that he was very surprised when he saw Elvan in front of him.

"The minister polished my shoes, and told me that we were from the same town. I loved it," he said, adding he would tell all his friends and relatives about his 'encounter' with the minister.

After Elvan was finished polishing the man's shoes, the two posed for the cameras waiting for them.

Reporing by Sezgin Pancar; Writing by Handan Kazanci