Gaurav Gogoi claims govt formation soon, warns probe against Assam CM​

Guwahati, April 18 (IANS) Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday asserted that his party would soon form the government in Assam and warned of a probe into Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after coming to power.​

“On the 4th May, our government will be formed,” Gogoi told reporters, adding that after forming the government, they would initiate an investigation into Himanta Biswa Sarma.​

His remarks come amid the recent controversy between Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress leader Pawan Khera, which has emerged as one of the most high-profile political flashpoints in Assam.​

The row began earlier this month when Khera, during a press conference, alleged that Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, possessed multiple foreign passports and had undisclosed overseas assets, including properties in Dubai and business links in the United States.

He claimed she held passports from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, and Egypt, raising questions about legality and disclosure norms.​

The allegations triggered a sharp political backlash. Sarma and his wife categorically denied the claims, calling them “malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated.”

The Chief Minister accused the Congress of running a misinformation campaign and warned of strict legal action, including defamation proceedings against Khera.​

The controversy soon escalated into a legal battle. A First Information Report was filed against Khera in Assam based on a complaint by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, leading to police action and searches linked to the case.

Khera initially secured transit anticipatory bail from the Telangana High Court, but the matter reached the Supreme Court of India after Assam Police challenged the relief.​

In a significant development, the Supreme Court refused to extend Khera’s protection from arrest and directed him to approach the appropriate court in Assam.

Following this, Sarma publicly stated that Khera should surrender before the authorities in Guwahati and face the legal process.​

The issue has since evolved into a major political slugfest, with the Congress doubling down on its allegations and the Bharatiya Janata Party dismissing them as baseless and defamatory.

The controversy has not only intensified the political climate in Assam but also intertwined legal proceedings with electoral rhetoric, making it a central issue in the ongoing political discourse.​

–IANS

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