The verbal sparring between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi escalated on Saturday, as the two continued their heated exchange over allegations linking Gogoi’s wife to Pakistan.
The controversy began when Sarma, on Friday, raised several questions about the wife of Congress’ Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Elizabeth Gogoi, in connection with her alleged ties to Pakistan. Sarma stated that he wanted clarification on whether certain claims were true, including the assertion that she worked in Pakistan, her citizenship status, and whether her husband had visited Pakistan and met the Pakistani ambassador without prior permission from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Sarma also provocatively asked, “How can ISI and RAW live together in the same house?” pointing to the alleged connections between Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
“We are not accusing anyone, but we want some facts to come out,” Sarma continued. “Firstly, is it true that the MP’s wife worked in Pakistan? Secondly, has she taken Indian citizenship? Thirdly, did the MP visit Pakistan during this time, and when meeting the Pakistani ambassador, did he have permission from the External Affairs Ministry? How can ISI and RAW stay in the same house? ISI is Pakistan, and RAW is India; it is not possible for them to live together,” Sarma added while speaking to reporters.
The controversy intensified after BJP leaders, spearheaded by Sarma, raised questions about Elizabeth Gogoi’s foreign citizenship and alleged links to ISI. The situation worsened when Sarma pointed out a meeting that Gaurav Gogoi held with the then-Pakistani High Commissioner to India in 2015, further fueling the accusations.
In response, Gaurav Gogoi sharply hit back, accusing Sarma of being “restless” and insecure about his position. He dismissed the allegations as “laughable” and defiantly stated, “If my wife is an ISI agent of Pakistan, then I am an R&AW agent of India.” He added, “I don’t mind if a family against whom there are various cases and several allegations makes accusations against me. The Assam chief minister is making these allegations only to divert attention from the accusations against him.”
The exchange marks a deepening divide between the two sides as Assam heads toward its state elections next year, with both sides trading barbs and accusations.
