Assam Chief Minister Escalates Attack on Congress MP Over Pakistan Visit
In a dramatic press conference held on Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a fierce assault on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, alleging a "deeper connection" between Gogoi, his British wife Elizabeth Colburn, and Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. Sarma hinted at potential charges of "rashtra-droh" (treason) if Gogoi fails to clarify his past visit to Pakistan.
Allegations of Confidential Pakistan Visit and Training
Addressing the media ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Sarma claimed that Gogoi undertook a "very confidential visit" to Pakistan in December 2013. According to the chief minister, Gogoi remained in Pakistan for ten days during which he was digitally silent, with no social media activity recorded.
"We suspect he went through some kind of training in that period," Sarma asserted, raising questions about the nature of the visit. He further alleged that after returning from Pakistan and later becoming a Member of Parliament, Gogoi asked questions in the Lok Sabha concerning military preparedness, security matters, defense hardware, nuclear plants, espionage, and the Kashmir conflict.
"A first-time MP asking such confidential questions, how can it not be linked to his Pakistan visit?" Sarma questioned, suggesting a direct correlation between the two events.
Foreign Links and Financial Irregularities Alleged
The chief minister expanded his allegations to include Gogoi's wife, Elizabeth Colburn. Sarma claimed that Colburn had previously worked with LEAD Pakistan, an organization run by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, before moving to India. He alleged that her salary continued to be paid by Sheikh even while she was working in India, potentially bypassing Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) regulations.
"Pakistani agencies cannot donate to an Indian entity as it's an enemy nation. Probably special permission was obtained in UPA time to pay Colburn," Sarma speculated, referring to the previous Congress-led government.
Sarma also accused Colburn of gathering intelligence from Indian sources related to climate action after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power and sending a comprehensive 45-page report to Sheikh. He claimed she traveled to Islamabad six times while working with LEAD India and three more times after joining another non-governmental organization.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The Assam chief minister announced that the state government would seek cancellation of Colburn's Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status, claiming her presence was detrimental to India's interests. He further suggested that Gogoi's political opponent should file a complaint with the Election Commission regarding alleged misinformation in his election affidavit concerning his wife's financial arrangements.
"If Gogoi cannot come out clean on his Pakistan stay, then charges of 'rashtra-droh' (treason) will have to be imposed on him," Sarma declared unequivocally.
Sarma revealed that the Assam Police had recommended a national-level probe by the Ministry of Home Affairs, stating, "We believe there is a deeper connection between Gogoi, Colburn and Sheikh. We believe that Colburn and Sheikh were part of an international conspiracy."
Congress Leader's Forceful Rebuttal
Gaurav Gogoi, who also serves as the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief, dismissed the press conference as politically motivated. While the presser was still underway, he took to social media platform X to express his disdain.
"I pity the journalists from Delhi and Assam who had to suffer the most flop press conference of the century. This was worse than a C grade cinema," Gogoi wrote.
He described the allegations as "Most mindless and bogus points" offered by what he called the "so-called political shrewd" chief minister and labeled the entire episode a "#SuperFlop." Gogoi contrasted this with his party's ongoing campaign, which he claimed had successfully uncovered land occupation issues involving the chief minister's family.
Earlier in the week, responding to similar allegations linking his wife to Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI, Gogoi had stated, "If my wife is an ISI agent of Pakistan, I am a R&AW agent of India. I don't mind if a family against whom there are various cases and several allegations, makes allegations against me."
Electoral Context and National Security Dimension
The heated exchange occurs as Assam prepares for crucial assembly elections, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress intensifying their campaigns. Sarma's remarks represent a significant escalation, introducing allegations of national security breaches, foreign funding violations, and possible treason into the electoral discourse.
The BJP has framed the issue as one involving potential foreign influence and FCRA violations, while the Congress has characterized the allegations as diversionary tactics aimed at deflecting attention from state-level issues and charges against the chief minister himself.
Sarma acknowledged that the Assam Police's Special Investigation Team had not questioned Gogoi directly, stating, "as he is a sitting MP. We have left it to the Centre, showing some respect to his position." He added that arresting Gogoi before elections would be perceived as political maneuvering.
With the campaign intensifying, these allegations and counter-allegations have injected a sharp national security dimension into Assam's electoral battle, setting the stage for a highly polarized contest in the weeks ahead as both parties vie for political advantage in the strategically important northeastern state.
