Politics has intensified in Assam ahead of the state assembly elections. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that the Assam cabinet has decided to refer the case concerning Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged links with Pakistan to the Union Home Ministry.
He said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government to investigate the anti-India conspiracy has submitted its report. He added that the cabinet concluded that the matter could have implications for national security. The Assam government had formed an SIT to investigate the alleged anti-India conspiracy by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, in collusion with a British citizen and a Member of Parliament.
Himanta Biswa Sarma levels serious allegations
Following the Assam cabinet’s decision, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intensified his attack on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi. He alleged that the Congress party has links with Pakistan. He claimed that Gaurav Gogoi’s wife previously worked with an NGO allegedly linked to Pakistani interests, and that MP Gaurav Gogoi had previously visited Pakistan, raising concerns about national security.
He further stated that it is very unfortunate if Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi has any connection with Pakistan. He said, “I have come here to bring this matter to your attention.” The Chief Minister added that he has been informed that Gaurav Gogoi led a delegation to the Pakistan High Commission office and met with the then Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit. He said, “I don’t recall any leader taking a delegation to meet the Pakistani High Commissioner.”
FIR to be sent to the central government – Sarma
CM Sarma further stated that the SIT report and the FIR registered in this case will be sent to the central government. He said, “We have not questioned the sitting MP Gaurav Gogoi about his Pakistan connection. We have left this matter to the central government, respecting his position.” CM Himanta said that if strong steps like arresting Gaurav Gogoi are taken now, he will be accused of playing politics ahead of the Assam assembly elections. He alleged that the MP had led a delegation to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and met with the then Pakistani High Commissioner, Abdul Basit. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I don’t recall any leader going to the Pakistan High Commission with a delegation.” Himanta Biswa Sarma further claimed that the MP had not informed the central government about his visit to Pakistan and had gone “missing” from social media during his stay there.
What Sarma said about Gaurav Gogoi’s wife
Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Gaurav Gogoi’s wife worked in Pakistan between March 2011 and March 2012 and was in professional contact with a Pakistani national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, whom he described as holding advisory positions in Pakistani planning and disaster management institutions. According to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, the SIT found that Elizabeth Colburn had professional connections with Pakistan-based organizations and had co-authored papers with Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. He also claimed that Ali Tauqeer Sheikh deleted social media posts tagging her after the Assam Police initiated an investigation.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi dismissed these allegations as “ridiculous, baseless, insane, and nonsense,” and accused the CM of behaving like an IT cell troll without presenting any facts. The Congress leader has not yet responded to the latest decision to refer the matter to the MHA.
