Speaking at the Panchayat Aaj Tak Assam event in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the allegations he has made against Gaurav Gogoi are based entirely on factual claims. Sarma stated that nothing had been done forcibly or without evidence, asserting that if any of his statements were incorrect, his political opponent had the option of pursuing legal action through a defamation case.
Sarma and Gogoi, who heads the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, have been engaged in a prolonged political confrontation since earlier this year. The chief minister had earlier described Gogoi as a “Pakistani agent,” citing the Congress leader’s visit to Pakistan in 2013. Sarma raised questions regarding alleged discrepancies in the visa permissions linked to that trip.
He specifically questioned how Gogoi was able to travel to Takshashila, which lies in Rawalpindi rather than Islamabad, despite reportedly lacking permission to visit that district. Sarma pointed out that Rawalpindi houses the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters, arguing that such travel naturally invites scrutiny.
The dispute intensified after Gogoi accused Sarma and members of his family of owning nearly 12,000 bighas of land across Assam. In response, Sarma filed a ₹500-crore defamation suit against Gogoi. Subsequently, a court in Guwahati directed Gogoi and other Congress leaders to refrain from making similar allegations.
After Sarma’s remarks suggesting links with Pakistan, Gogoi dismissed the accusations as a “super flop political drama.” Despite the rebuttal, Sarma has continued to defend his position, reiterating that if his claims were incorrect, legal recourse remained available to the opposition.
When asked whether visiting Pakistan should be considered a crime, Sarma described the issue as extremely serious in the context of India’s history with the neighbouring country. He said that India had fought three wars with Pakistan and that many soldiers had sacrificed their lives in those conflicts, adding that ignoring those sacrifices raises legitimate concerns.
Sarma also stated that questions naturally arise when someone travels without proper visa authorisation, particularly to a district associated with Pakistan’s military headquarters. According to him, such circumstances warrant scrutiny and explanation.
During the discussion, Sarma also addressed the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam. While expressing confidence about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prospects, he avoided making definitive predictions. He said that until the final vote is cast, no political leader should claim victory because the ultimate decision rests with the electorate.
The chief minister said his focus remained on giving his best effort in governance and political work, leaving the final verdict to the people of Assam. He added that the past five years of his administration had been devoted to correcting earlier shortcomings wherever possible.
According to Sarma, numerous changes have taken place during this period, and the state has been prepared to confront emerging challenges. He also remarked that conditions should be created in which certain disruptive elements choose to leave on their own.
At the same time, Sarma said he does not intend to turn the election campaign into an emotionally charged contest. He noted that in his recent speeches he has avoided using terms such as “Miya” and has also refrained from directly mentioning opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi or Gaurav Gogoi, stating that he wants the campaign to remain focused on governance and development rather than emotional rhetoric.
