Assam Congress Chief Launches Fierce Counterattack on CM Sarma
In a dramatic escalation of political hostilities, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi delivered a sharp rebuke to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday. Gogoi dismissed Sarma's press conference as a "superflop" spectacle designed to divert public attention from serious questions regarding his family's extensive land acquisitions across the state.
Land Holdings Controversy Takes Center Stage
Gogoi demanded that the chief minister provide a transparent explanation for how he and his family managed to acquire approximately 4,000 acres of prime land throughout Assam. The Congress leader alleged this massive property accumulation represents a critical issue being deliberately obscured through baseless accusations.
"He should rather explain how he and his family managed to acquire 12,000 bighas or 4,000 acres of prime property across Assam," Gogoi stated emphatically. "When we come to power, we will take those lands and distribute them among the poor and landless."
Pakistan Allegations and National Security Claims
The political confrontation intensified after Sarma, during a press conference preceding Assam assembly elections, alleged that Gogoi, his British wife Elizabeth Colburn, and Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh maintained a "deeper connection." The chief minister claimed sensitive information had been shared with Pakistan, framing the matter as one involving national security that required investigation by central agencies.
Sarma specifically referenced Gogoi's 2013 visit to Pakistan, describing it as "very confidential" and conducted without proper notification to authorities. He further suggested that Colburn received payments through Pakistani-linked channels during her work in India.
Gogoi's Forceful Rejection and Media Critique
Gogoi categorically rejected all allegations as "mindless and bogus," accusing Sarma of embarrassing himself before both local and national media. In a social media post, the Congress leader wrote: "Himanta Biswa Sarma has embarrassed himself on the stage in front of local and national media. After a 2.5-hour press conference, even the journalists in the room remain unconvinced."
Speaking directly to reporters, Gogoi elaborated: "I think the Chief Minister has embarrassed himself on the national stage. After a two-and-a-half-hour-long press conference, he was not even able to convince the journalists in the room. If you listen to the questions asked by the journalists, even they were not convinced."
Political Motivations and Intelligence Insult
The Congress state president accused Sarma of underestimating the people of Assam, stating: "The Chief Minister thinks that the people of Assam do not have any intelligence, do not have any knowledge. So, he should respect the people of Assam. People of Assam know who is the ultimate deceitful Chief Minister."
In a pointed retort to the espionage allegations, Gogoi declared: "If my wife is an ISI agent of Pakistan, then I am a R&AW agent of India," characterizing the accusations as politically motivated distractions from controversies surrounding the chief minister.
Escalating Rhetoric and Future Implications
The exchange represents a significant deterioration in political discourse within Assam, with both leaders employing increasingly confrontational language. Sarma's insistence that the matter requires investigation by central agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIA, IB, or CBI suggests the controversy may extend beyond state politics.
Gogoi's renewed focus on land distribution policies indicates the Congress party intends to make economic inequality and land rights central issues in upcoming electoral battles. The public nature of these accusations and counter-accusations ensures this conflict will dominate political discussions in Assam for the foreseeable period.
