Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a significant press conference on Sunday, leveling a series of allegations against Congress Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, Elizabeth. The Chief Minister claimed that a detailed investigation has uncovered what he described as a "Pakistan connection" involving the couple. These allegations were categorized into 10 specific points, ranging from financial irregularities to potential threats to national security.
Financial Allegations and Non-Disclosure
According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Elizabeth Gogoi maintains an active bank account in Pakistan. The CM alleged that FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) norms were violated in making payments to her, while Also, Sarma claimed that Gaurav Gogoi failed to disclose his wife's Pakistani bank account in his mandatory election affidavit, which constitutes a legal oversight. These financial details, the CM asserted, point towards a lack of transparency regarding foreign assets.
Travel Patterns and Security Evasion
The Chief Minister raised questions regarding Elizabeth's frequent visits to Pakistan. He stated that she visited Islamabad 6 times while working for an Indian company and 3 additional times after joining another NGO. A key point of contention raised by Sarma was her choice of travel route; he alleged that she consistently used the Attari border for road travel instead of flying, while the CM suggested that this was a deliberate attempt to avoid the scrutiny of security agencies at airports.
Alleged Espionage and Foreign Contacts
Sarma claimed that Elizabeth worked in Pakistan from March 2011 to March 2012, during which she was reportedly in contact with high-ranking officials. He specifically mentioned a Pakistani national named Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, with whom Elizabeth's family was allegedly close. The Chief Minister accused Elizabeth of gathering sensitive information related to India and reporting it to Sheikh, while these reports allegedly included information sourced from IB (Intelligence Bureau) regarding climate change actions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure.
Gaurav Gogoi's 2013 Pakistan Visit
Directly targeting the Congress MP, the Chief Minister alleged that Gaurav Gogoi undertook a highly confidential trip to Pakistan in December 2013. At the time, he was residing at the Assam Chief Minister's official residence, yet the Assam Police were reportedly not informed of this travel. Sarma claimed that although Gogoi held a visa only for Lahore, he visited Islamabad and Karachi. The CM highlighted that Gogoi remained "digitally silent" during the 10-day trip, suggesting potential specialized training during that period.
Parliamentary Questions and High Commission Meetings
The Chief Minister linked Gogoi's 2013 visit to his subsequent legislative activities. He pointed out that after returning from Pakistan, Gogoi raised specific questions in Parliament concerning defense equipment and nuclear power plants. Sarma questioned the source of these technical queries. On top of that, he alleged that Gogoi visited the Pakistan High Commission with a group of youths and met then-High Commissioner Abdul Basit, who later visited Assam under circumstances the CM deemed suspicious.
Analysis by Political Observers
According to political analysts, these allegations represent a significant escalation in the political discourse of Assam. Analysts suggest that the nature of the claims—involving foreign bank accounts and unauthorized travel—may necessitate involvement from central investigative agencies. While the Congress party has dismissed these claims as politically motivated, the detailed nature of the 10 points presented by the CM has sparked a nationwide debate on parliamentary transparency and security protocols.
Conclusion
The allegations presented by the Assam Chief Minister involve complex issues of national security, financial compliance, and diplomatic conduct. Sarma emphasized that making these facts public was a matter of national interest. As the political situation unfolds, the legal ramifications of these non-disclosure and security-related allegations are expected to become a central point of contention in the coming weeks.