Abhishek Manu Singhvi (pictured), National Spokesperson of the Congress Party and Senior Advocate has found himself in a soup and is presently juggling dual roles. Firstly as a spokesperson for the Congress and secondly, as a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court.

Singhvi recently attracted controversy by representing lottery tycoon Santiago Martin at the Kerela High Court. Santiago is the owner of Megha Distributors, who promotes the Sikkim and Bhutan lotteries.

The case was sensitive and predominantly involves the Congress, as the party itself had launched a campaign against the promoters of the lotteries outside of the State (Kerela). The Economic Times reports that the Congress party’s campaign was so intense that the LDF Government was forced to make an ordinance last month, making it mandatory for other State lottery promoters to make certain declarations. The ordinance had sought to bring better accountability and more revenue to the State.

Previously Singhvi had attracted flak by giving advice to Dow Chemicals in 2006 (Dow is the company which bought over Union Carbide). That time around too the Congress had been hit by his legal advice as his advising had in turn taken a toll on the Congress, as the elections were in around the corner.

The Congress this time, could be contemplating the removal of Singhvi from his post of a spokesperson. The Indian Express reports that Jayanthi Natarajan said, “That the issue was under the perusal of the High Command and the matter had been dealt seriously”.

Although, Singhvi mentioned that he has not advised Santiago and had appeared on behalf of the Bhutan Government, the Congress party’s and the Left Governments keep hurling stones at him. At the end of the day, it’s a tough battle to decide whether to act in an Advocates capacity or abide to inner-party discipline as a Spokesperson for one of the strongest political parties.