DEHRADUN, Oct. 23 -- : Continuing his efforts to defuse the escalating controversy surrounding a cabinet colleague's conduct at a public event, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke with singer Daler Mehndi on the phone on Friday to inquire about his well-being and discuss "the recent events".

"Our effort is to leave this incident behind and move forward with mutual dialogue, harmony, and a spirit of positivity," Dhami said in a post on X after the phone call, a reference to the row over Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal's remarks and confrontation with Mehndi at a public event.

The chief minister had spoken with Daler Mehndi's brother, singer Mika Singh, on Thursday, who hasn't toned down his pitch. Or the demand for a ...