Assam BJP: Gogoi's Parliamentary Role Doesn't Clear Sedition Allegations
The Assam Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party has declared that Congress state president and MP Gaurav Gogoi's appointment as chairperson of the India-Philippines Friendship Group does not signify any clearance of the serious sedition charges pending against him. The party emphasized that Gogoi's alleged connections with Pakistan involve matters of national interest affecting both India and Pakistan directly.
Parliamentary Committee Selection Process Explained
BJP spokesperson Devajit Mahanta clarified the standard parliamentary procedure for committee formations. "The Lok Sabha secretariat extends invitations to members across political parties to constitute various subject committees," Mahanta stated. "The responsibility for selecting MPs for these committees lies entirely with the Congress Parliamentary Board. Once they submit their nominee list, the secretariat announces the committees with the Speaker's approval. This represents a long-established parliamentary convention followed consistently."
Selective Publicity Questioned by BJP
Mahanta raised pointed questions about what he described as selective promotion by Congress supporters. "Why did Congress workers fail to promote or publicize MP Pradyut Bordoloi on social media when he was included in the committee formed to gather international support for Operation Sindoor?" he asked. "Yet they are now aggressively publicizing Gogoi's appointment to the Philippines friendship group. This inconsistency deserves scrutiny."
Multiple Appointments Highlighted
The BJP spokesperson noted that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has made several similar appointments across party lines. "BJP state president and MP from Darrang-Udalguri, Dilip Saikia, has been appointed as chairperson of the India-Thailand Friendship Group," Mahanta revealed. "Additionally, MP Ajit Bhuyan serves as a member of the India-Saudi Arabia group. These appointments demonstrate the routine nature of such parliamentary assignments."
Sedition Investigation Continues Unaffected
Mahanta stressed that the parliamentary role changes nothing regarding the legal proceedings against Gogoi. "Merely being appointed as chairperson of the India-Philippines group does not absolve Gaurav Gogoi of the serious sedition charges he faces," he asserted. "The investigation into his alleged Pakistan links will continue unabated through proper legal channels. This appointment represents routine parliamentary business, not judicial exoneration."
Call for Evidence Disclosure
The BJP spokesperson challenged Gogoi to provide photographic evidence regarding his alleged travels. "If Gogoi indeed traveled with his wife to Taxila in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, he should make public any photographs of himself and his wife taken during that visit," Mahanta demanded. "Transparency in this matter would help clarify the facts surrounding these serious allegations."
Judicial Process Will Determine Outcome
Mahanta concluded by emphasizing the primacy of judicial institutions in resolving the matter. "The Congress MP remains formally accused of sedition under Indian law," he stated. "Our judicial institutions will, through due legal process, examine all evidence and determine appropriate consequences. The parliamentary committee appointment has no bearing on this separate legal proceeding."
The BJP's statement comes amid ongoing political tensions in Assam, where Gogoi's alleged connections have become a significant point of contention between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress party. The sedition case continues to proceed through legal channels while parliamentary committee assignments follow established institutional procedures.
