Assam Chief Minister Escalates Political Battle Ahead of Elections
In a dramatic escalation of political rhetoric, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched a blistering attack on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, labeling him a "national threat" and demanding a central investigation into his 2013 visit to Pakistan. The accusations come as the state prepares for upcoming assembly elections, with Sarma attempting to put the opposition on the defensive.
Cabinet Clears Transfer of SIT Report to Home Ministry
The Assam cabinet on Saturday approved the transfer of a comprehensive Special Investigation Team (SIT) report to the Union Home Ministry. This voluminous document, submitted by police investigators on September 10, seeks investigation by central agencies into what the state government describes as an alleged global conspiracy against India.
The SIT, established in February last year, has focused its findings on connections involving Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, and his British wife Elizabeth Colebourn Gogoi. The report alleges professional and financial ties that warrant national security scrutiny.
Sarma Questions Gogoi's "Digital Silence" During Pakistan Visit
Chief Minister Sarma presented a detailed timeline of Gogoi's December 2013 Pakistan visit, raising multiple questions that he insists remain unanswered:
- Digital silence: Why did Gogoi maintain complete digital silence during his 10-day visit?
- Visa expansion: How was his visa expanded mid-trip from Lahore to include Islamabad and Karachi?
- Facilitation: Who facilitated this unusual visa expansion within Pakistan?
"Until he answers them, suspicion will remain," Sarma declared, suggesting the Congress leader could be susceptible to blackmail due to unexplained aspects of the visit.
Focus on Gogoi's Wife and Alleged Pakistani Connections
A substantial portion of the allegations center on Gaurav Gogoi's wife, Elizabeth Colebourn Gogoi. Sarma demanded immediate revocation of her Indian visa, alleging her professional work intersected with international advocacy groups critical of India's positions on Kashmir and citizenship laws.
According to SIT findings cited by the Chief Minister:
- Elizabeth worked with NGO Lead Pakistan, headed by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, from March 2011 to March 2012
- She allegedly continued receiving payments routed from Pakistan after this period
- Funds originating in Pakistan were channeled to pay her salary in violation of FCRA norms
- She authored a 45-page confidential report in 2014 sent to Pakistan with strategic recommendations
Sarma claimed Elizabeth remained under "managerial control" from Pakistan and that her activities represented a sophisticated attempt to influence Indian policy through state governments rather than the central government.
Gogoi's Response: "Political Theatre" and "Bogus Allegations"
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the allegations as political theatre designed to distract from governance failures. In a sharp rebuttal, he called the accusations "mindless and bogus" and accused the Chief Minister of misleading the public.
Posting on social media platform X, Gogoi characterized Sarma's press conference as "the most flop press conference of the century" and worse than "C-grade cinema." He asserted that the people of Assam would see through what he described as political posturing and would respond decisively in the coming elections.
Broader Political Implications and Security Concerns
Sarma linked Gogoi's Pakistan visit to what he described as a "complete change" in the Congress leader's parliamentary behavior afterward. He pointed to questions Gogoi raised in Parliament on sensitive defense matters including:
- Defense preparedness and military capabilities
- Air squadron deployments and submarine strength
- Uranium reserves and strategic resources
- Security concerns along the western front
"Had he not been blackmailed, would he have asked such sensitive questions?" Sarma questioned, suggesting the Pakistan visit might have compromised Gogoi's parliamentary conduct.
Investigation Strategy and Political Calculations
The Chief Minister revealed that Assam police had not directly questioned Gogoi out of deference to his status as a Member of Parliament, instead leaving the matter to central agencies. He ruled out immediate arrest, acknowledging that such action before elections would invite allegations of political vendetta.
This strategic approach suggests the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government is attempting to frame the issue as one of national security rather than local politics, while simultaneously putting the Congress party on the defensive ahead of crucial state elections.
The controversy has significantly raised the political temperature in Assam, with both sides preparing for what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral battle. As the SIT report moves to central agencies for further investigation, the allegations are likely to remain a central feature of political discourse in the coming months.
