A forged letter circulated in the name of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, allegedly calling for a leadership change in the Assam BJP, has been exposed as fake by his office, triggering political attention ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The document, which went viral on social media, appeared to target Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and suggested an urgent “course correction” in the party’s leadership.
The letter was purportedly written on the official letterhead of Sarbananda Sonowal, who currently serves as the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. On Monday, Sonowal’s office categorically denied its authenticity, stating that the document was completely fake, fabricated and forged. Officials confirmed that an FIR has been lodged in connection with the circulation of the forged letter.
The viral document claimed to assess the “situation in Assam” and argued that immediate corrective steps were needed before the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressed to the BJP national president, the fake letter alleged widespread public dissatisfaction with the functioning of the current state government, citing issues such as governance failures, corruption, law and order concerns, unemployment, price rise and misuse of power. It further claimed that cadre morale was weakening and that even traditional BJP supporters were expressing frustration at the grassroots level.
The forged letter went on to make serious allegations against Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him and his family of large-scale corruption, misuse of authority and conflicts of interest. It suggested that these alleged controversies were damaging the party’s image and electoral prospects in the state.
Positioning itself as a warning issued “in the long-term interest of the BJP in Assam,” the fake document urged the party’s central leadership to project an alternative chief ministerial face. It called for a leader with a clean image, free from controversies and with broader public acceptability, in a clear attempt to create speculation and internal discord within the party.
The timing of the letter added to the controversy, as it surfaced just months before the Assam Assembly elections, which are due between March and April next year. The document was circulated widely online, increasing the risk of misinformation and political mischief at a sensitive time.
In response, the office of Sarbananda Sonowal issued a strong denial, with a statement from the Press Information Bureau describing the letter as fake and forged. The ministry said the act amounted to a serious criminal offence involving forgery, impersonation and misuse of official government identity. It added that the apparent intent behind the circulation was to spread misinformation and undermine the credibility of a constitutional authority, particularly the sitting chief minister.
Sonowal’s office also pointed out that legal action has been initiated, with an FIR registered to identify those responsible for creating and circulating the fraudulent letter. Officials said the matter is being treated with seriousness due to the potential impact on public trust and political stability.
Sarbananda Sonowal previously served as the Chief Minister of Assam from 2016 to 2021, before Himanta Biswa Sarma took over the post in Dispur. The Bharatiya Janata Party has been in power in Assam since 2016 and is now preparing to contest the Assembly elections for a third consecutive term. The exposure of the fake letter has highlighted growing concerns around misinformation and political manipulation in the run-up to crucial elections.
