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Sidhu’s adviser Mali quits after row over his remarks

Monika Malik

Amid an intense power struggle within the Punjab Congress, Malvinder Singh Mali quit as Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu’s adviser after his controversial remarks created a major row and the party threatened to dismiss him if Sidhu failed to remove him.

Mali had invited the ire of the State party affairs’ general secretary in-charge Harish Rawat as well as the Congress high command over his views on Article 370 and Kashmir, and a sketch of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi terming her a “tormentor”.

After he refused to withdraw the posts, Sidhu was advised by Rawat to sack Mali. Sidhu had, however, dug his heels in.