The political battlefield in Assam grew hotter this weekend, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma aiming a barrage of questions at Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi — and this time, on his alleged 'ties' with neighbouring Pakistan.
In a sharp social media post on Sunday, Sarma publicly questioned Gogoi’s alleged ties to Pakistan, framing three direct queries that added new fuel to their intensifying rivalry.
First among Sarma’s pointed questions: “Did you visit Pakistan for a continuous period of 15 days? If so, could you kindly clarify the purpose of your visit?”
Without pausing, the Chief Minister pressed on. “Is it true that your wife continues to receive a salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while residing and working in India?” he asked. “If so, may we ask why a Pakistan-based organisation is paying a salary for activities conducted in India?”
The third question turned personal, as Sarma sought clarity on the citizenship status of Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi. “What is the citizenship status of your wife and your two children? Are they Indian citizens, or do they hold the citizenship of any other country?”
Capping his post with a warning, Sarma declared that “many more questions will follow,” signalling that his offensive against Gogoi is far from over.
Gaurav Gogoi, for his part, has not yet responded to the volley of allegations.
The escalating duel between Sarma and Gogoi comes at a time when political temperatures are already running high. Only a day earlier, Gogoi had levelled serious allegations against Sarma, accusing the Assam government of turning a blind eye to illegal coal mining between Assam and Meghalaya.
Gogoi alleged that nearly 1,200 tonnes of coal were being transported daily with hefty bribes of Rs 1.5 lakh collected per truck — claims that, if true, point to a flourishing "mining syndicate" operating under official patronage.
This is not the first time the two leaders have locked horns. When Gogoi recently branded the Enforcement Directorate (ED) an “Extortion Department”, Sarma had hit back, defending the BJP’s stance on investigative agencies as “principled and unwavering.”
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