Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath resigned as general secretary in-charge of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, after an outcry over his appointment, PTI reported. Nath submitted his resignation to Congress President Sonia Gandhi who has accepted it, party spokesperson Randip Surjewala said. The decision comes just three days after Nath's appointment was announced by the party.

The 69-year-old is one of the most senior leaders of the Congress party, but his tenure also includes being questioned by the Nanavati Commission for his alleged involvement in the anti-Sikh riots in 1984. Although he has not been convicted in any case, Nath's appointment still caused an outcry in Punjab, forcing the state Congress chief Amarinder Singh to defend the decision.

The appointment also gave rival outfits, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal, a chance to attack the Congress for its role in the gruesome riots in Delhi in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination.