Guwahati: The political battle in Assam has intensified as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colburn, has ties to a Pakistan-based non-governmental organization (NGO). The fresh accusations, made through a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), have added a new dimension to the ongoing rivalry between the BJP and Congress in the state.
In his post, CM Sarma claimed that Colburn was associated with LEAD Pakistan, an organization allegedly operating under the pretense of climate change advocacy. The Chief Minister further suggested that the organization’s activities may have a deeper, more strategic influence, particularly concerning Assam’s socio-political landscape. He asserted that Colburn had worked under Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, the head of LEAD Pakistan, raising questions about the nature of their involvement in policy matters related to the region.
To substantiate his claims, Sarma shared an old tweet by Sheikh, in which the latter had commented on the issue of illegal migration in Assam. Sheikh’s tweet suggested that India’s stance on Bangladeshi migrants was shaped by political and nationalist agendas rather than security concerns. Sarma highlighted this post to imply that LEAD Pakistan may have been influencing narratives on Assam’s migration policies, further escalating the controversy.
The allegations have fueled an already heated political atmosphere in the state, where illegal migration has been a key issue in electoral debates. The BJP-led government has consistently taken a strong stance on border security, and Sarma’s latest remarks are likely to intensify political attacks against Congress. With Assam gearing up for crucial political developments, the timing of these allegations has sparked widespread discussions.
As of now, Gaurav Gogoi has not officially responded to the accusations. The unfolding controversy raises questions about whether the Assam CM’s claims will lead to further political action or remain a high-profile war of words in the state’s charged political climate.
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