Guwahati, Feb 9: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Monday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of crossing all limits by dragging Gogoi’s minor children into an ongoing political dispute.
Addressing a press conference, Gogoi termed the move “unacceptable” and “deeply disturbing”, asserting that political battles must remain confined to elected representatives and should never involve children. He said references to his five-year-old and nine-year-old children had lowered the standards of political discourse in Assam.
Gogoi said he was prepared to face any allegation directed at him personally but would not remain silent if his family, Congress workers or ordinary citizens were targeted. Warning of serious consequences, he said he would pursue the matter “to the very end” if such personal attacks continued and cautioned the Chief Minister against escalating private issues for political gain.
In a strongly worded statement, the Congress leader accused the Chief Minister of stooping to a new low by allegedly disclosing details related to his children. He said that while personal information about the Chief Minister’s family was widely known, restraint had been exercised. Describing the episode as shameful, Gogoi questioned the intent behind what he termed the spread of false information and urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
“Don’t force me into a situation where I have to respond,” Gogoi warned.
Speaking about his family, Gogoi said his wife was independent and fully taking care of their children. Drawing a personal parallel, he said he himself was largely raised by his mother and that his children would be free to make their own decisions once they turned 18.
Clarifying the intent of the press meet, Gogoi said it was not political theatre but a stand to protect the dignity of the people of Assam and the media. Dragging children into political attacks, he said, had embarrassed the state and was unbecoming of someone holding the Chief Minister’s office.
