Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has strongly criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma amid the ongoing controversy surrounding remarks about Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s statement that the Commissioner of Police could be in his “firing line” if the BJP returns to power, Gogoi leveled serious allegations, claiming that the officer is the “main syndicate master” of the Chief Minister.
“The Police Commissioner whom Himanta Biswa Sarma has kept is his main syndicate master in Guwahati. Now, he is talking about transferring that very officer. The Commissioner is like family to him and was appointed by him,” Gogoi alleged.
“Even within the police, there is a belief that the BJP will not return to power this time. They feel that the Congress and other opposition parties will form the next government. Many have already lost confidence in the BJP and are now looking towards a new leadership,” he added.
Gogoi further remarked that the Chief Minister has gone “completely mad” and asked reporters not to question him further on the matter.
The controversy follows comments made by CM Sarma in a recent interview, where he expressed strong dissatisfaction over how Congress leader Pawan Khera managed to leave Guwahati shortly after an FIR was filed against him.
“If our government returns to power on May 5, the Commissioner of Police will be in my firing line. I filed the FIR at 12 am, and by 6 am, Pawan Khera had left Guwahati. This means Assam Police let him go,” Sarma said.
He further stated that he was “more angry at Assam Police than Pawan Khera” and questioned how the Congress leader was able to leave the city despite the FIR.
Sarma clarified that he could not intervene at the time because the Model Code of Conduct was in force during the Assam Assembly elections.
The case relates to an FIR registered against Pawan Khera at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station over allegations involving the Chief Minister’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, which Sarma has firmly denied.
Following the complaint, Assam Police carried out searches at Khera’s residence. Riniki Bhuyan Sharma stated that the FIR was filed to ensure justice and emphasized that the allegations should be taken seriously.
At present, Partha Sarathi Mahanta serves as the Commissioner of Police in Guwahati. He assumed the role in January 2025 and also holds additional responsibilities as IGP (Traffic & Road Safety) and Chief of the Special Task Force (STF).
