Malwinder Mali quits as Navjot Singh Sidhu’s advisor after row over his controversial 'Kashmir' remarks

New Delhi: Advisor to the Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Malwinder Singh Mali on Friday said he “withdrew his consent to giving advice” to him.

This comes after his remarks on Kashmir sparked a controversy.

Mali told UNI that he never held any post officially with Sidhu as his advisor, and also said that he shares his expertise with several others.

“I had no post and I have not resigned. I had given my consent… They said we want to recognize your wisdom, I had consented to advising from time to time, and I withdrew it. I was never an advisor like the media projected. It was need based consultation,” Mali told UNI.

In his declaration, Mali said, “I withdraw my consent given for tendering suggestions to Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu”.

Reacting to his resignation, Congress leader and MP Manish Tewari said, “Do such people even have the right to live in the country, forget about being in the party”.

According to sources, Congress leadership has asked Sidhu to sack two of his four advisors - Mali and Pyare Lal Garg.

Mali sparked a massive row after he tweeted Kashmir is a separate country. In a tweet, Mali wrote "Kashmir is a separate country and India, Pakistan are illegal occupant. It belongs to the people of Kashmir". Garg had questioned Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's criticism of Pakistan. (UNI)