Guwahati, Feb 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, February 8, intensified his attack on Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, raising a series of questions over alleged foreign employment links, visits to Pakistan and citizenship-related decisions within Gogoi’s immediate family, which he said require a clear public explanation.
Addressing a press conference, Sarma claimed that Gogoi’s wife had initially been employed by an organisation based in Pakistan and that even after moving to India following her marriage, she continued to be “managed from Pakistan.” He further alleged that her remuneration was routed from Pakistan through what he described as an indirect or pass-through payment mechanism, calling the arrangement highly questionable.
The Chief Minister also alleged that while living in India, Gogoi’s wife submitted periodic reports on political developments in the country. Describing this as a matter of serious national concern, Sarma said such actions, if true, raise important questions about national security. He further claimed that she had travelled to Pakistan on nine occasions and that Gogoi had accompanied her during at least one of these visits.
Sarma went on to allege that Gogoi himself travelled to Pakistan on a visa issued at the request of Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and stayed there for around 10 days. Questioning the nature of the visit, the Chief Minister asked how an Indian Member of Parliament could be invited by Pakistan’s interior ministry and what engagements took place during the stay. He said these were legitimate concerns that could not be ignored.
The Assam Chief Minister also raised the issue of citizenship, alleging that Gogoi had surrendered the Indian passports of his two children and facilitated their acquisition of British citizenship. He added that Gogoi’s wife already holds a British passport, further complicating the matter in the public domain.
“These are not private matters alone. These are issues of public interest and national importance,” Sarma said, urging Gogoi to come forward and provide clarity. He stressed that transparency was essential, particularly given Gogoi’s position as an elected representative and senior leader of the Congress party.
