Amid rising political tensions in Assam, state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on March 25 strongly rejected allegations made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma linking him and his wife to Pakistan, calling the claims “imaginary” and “deeply irresponsible.”
According to reports, the Jorhat MP said the accusations had no factual basis and accused the Chief Minister of trivialising a sensitive issue like national security for political gain. He said such remarks reflect a lack of seriousness and restraint in dealing with critical matters.
Gogoi drew a distinction between the allegations raised by the Congress against CM Sarma and those directed at him. He said the opposition’s criticism of the Chief Minister is based on issues such as alleged financial irregularities, misuse of state machinery, and benefits to private business interests linked to the Chief Minister’s family—claims he said are backed by publicly available records and ongoing legal scrutiny.
In contrast, he described the allegations against him as completely fabricated and accused the ruling party of trying to create controversy by invoking national security concerns. He stressed that such matters should remain above partisan politics and be handled responsibly.
His remarks come after recent statements by the Chief Minister targeting Gogoi and his British wife, Elizabeth Clare Gogoi, and alleging links to Pakistan’s intelligence network. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has reportedly been formed to examine the matter.
Gogoi suggested the episode reflects political insecurity, alleging that the state leadership is escalating rhetoric to discredit opponents. Despite the controversy, he said his family has remained strong and that the situation has only strengthened their resolve.
He also criticised the government for not responding to opposition questions regarding the allocation of public funds, particularly those linked to entities associated with the Chief Minister’s family. He said these concerns remain unanswered.
Accusing the administration of suppressing dissent, Gogoi claimed that critics face intimidation and exclusion from welfare schemes. He described the situation as contrary to democratic values and warned against what he termed an increasingly authoritarian style of governance.
Looking ahead to the Assembly elections, Gogoi expressed confidence in the electorate, saying voters would prioritise integrity and accountability. He also invoked the legacy of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, crediting him with bringing stability and peace to Assam.
He added that the Congress aims to form a “constructive and action-oriented government” in the state, focusing on governance reforms, industrial growth, and meeting public expectations after years of what he called “dirty politics.”
Gogoi also expressed satisfaction over the six-party opposition alliance comprising the Indian National Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, Communist Party of India (Marxist), All Party Hill Leaders Conference, and Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, describing it as an unprecedented “rainbow coalition.”
He said delays in finalising the alliance were due to detailed discussions on seat-sharing and organisational strength, adding that the coming together of Congress, AJP, and Raijor Dal has generated strong public interest as the parties complement each other ideologically.
