Assam Chief Minister Accuses Congress MP of Being 'Pakistan Agent' in Escalating Political Feud
NEW DELHI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a blistering attack against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, directly labeling him as "an agent" of Pakistan and declaring that "Pakistan should not have any assets in India." The explosive allegations come as political tensions intensify ahead of the crucial 2026 Assam assembly elections, reviving a bitter rivalry that dates back more than a decade.
Explosive Allegations and Vehement Denials
Sarma, addressing a press conference, made sensational claims about Gogoi's December 2013 visit to Pakistan, alleging the Congress leader undertook a "very confidential visit" and received "some kind of training" during his 10-day stay. According to the chief minister, Gogoi arrived in Lahore on December 15, 2013, and his visa was expanded within a day to include Islamabad and Karachi.
"Why was he taken from Lahore to Islamabad and Karachi? What did he do for 10 days?" Sarma questioned, suggesting the visit had suspicious undertones. He further claimed that after returning to India and becoming an MP, Gogoi raised questions in Parliament relating to military preparedness, 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 asserted, adding that if Gogoi cannot clarify his Pakistan stay, charges of treason might be appropriate.
Gogoi responded with equal force, dismissing the allegations as "mindless and bogus" and accusing Sarma of embarrassing himself. 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. Nobody in Assam is taking his words seriously."
Deep-Rooted Political Rivalry
The current confrontation represents the latest chapter in a political feud that began within the Congress party over a decade ago. Sarma was once a senior minister in the Congress government led by Gaurav Gogoi's father, the late Tarun Gogoi. Tensions reportedly grew as Gaurav began taking an active role in Congress affairs and influencing decisions in his father's government, while Sarma felt sidelined despite his central role in managing the party's successful 2011 campaign.
The breaking point came ahead of the 2016 assembly elections when Sarma left Congress after the party high command projected Gaurav Gogoi as the face of Assam Congress leadership. Sarma eventually defected to the BJP in 2015, bringing several Congress MLAs with him—a move that significantly weakened Congress in Assam and laid the foundation for BJP's rise in the state.
The animosity has manifested in various incidents over the years:
- In 2017, Sarma criticized Rahul Gandhi for feeding biscuits to his dog while Assam leaders wanted to discuss urgent state issues
- In 2023, Gogoi accused Sarma's wife of receiving undue benefits through government schemes
- Sarma has now targeted Gogoi's wife, alleging professional links with a Pakistan-based NGO
Investigative Developments and Counter-Allegations
The controversy has taken an official turn with the Assam cabinet clearing the transfer of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report to the Union Home Ministry. Sarma stated that the investigation had reached beyond the state's scope and required scrutiny by central agencies such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIA, IB, or CBI.
"We have left it to the Centre, showing some respect to his position as a sitting MP," Sarma explained, adding that if he arrested Gogoi now, he would be accused of political maneuvering before elections.
Gogoi has demanded that the SIT report be made public, claiming it remained with the chief minister for six months because it contained no evidence. He confirmed accompanying his wife on her work-related trip to Pakistan in 2013 and stated he was never questioned about it.
The Congress leader also launched counter-allegations, questioning how Sarma's family managed to acquire substantial property across Assam. "When we will come to power, we will take those lands and distribute them amongst the poor and landless," Gogoi declared.
Strategic Significance for 2026 Elections
With the Assam assembly elections approaching, the Sarma-Gogoi feud has taken on significant strategic importance. What began as a leadership tussle within Congress has evolved into one of Assam's most personal and high-stakes political confrontations, reflecting unfinished battles from the past.
The confrontation is no longer confined to policy disagreements but represents:
- A deeply personal rivalry shaped by ambition and betrayal
- Ideological realignment following Sarma's switch to BJP
- Unfinished political business dating back to Congress-era conflicts
- A battle for public perception ahead of crucial elections
As the campaign intensifies, both leaders are betting that public perception will tilt in their favor. Whether voters view the controversy as a matter of national security concern or political mudslinging could determine the outcome of Assam's next electoral chapter. One certainty remains: the Sarma-Gogoi battle is far from over, and its roots run much deeper than today's headlines suggest.
