Guwahati, Assam: Newly-appointed Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday vehemently refuted claims linking him to the Pakistani establishment, dismissing the allegations as a “C-grade Bollywood movie” destined for a “miserable flop.” Gogoi clarified that his sole visit to Pakistan occurred 12 years ago, a trip he attributed to his wife’s professional engagement.
Addressing a press conference from the Congress’ 24, Akbar Road office, Gogoi questioned the BJP government’s inaction over the past 11 years if indeed any wrongdoing had transpired. He further asserted that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s accusations were an attempt to sow discord within the Congress leadership regarding his credentials, an effort Gogoi claimed had been decisively thwarted.
“Allegations are made and I would like to clarify that people of the state are not misled,” Gogoi stated. He elaborated that roughly 14-15 years prior, his wife, a renowned public policy expert, had worked on an international climate change project spanning South Asia, which necessitated her spending a year in Pakistan before her return to India around 2012-13.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarma has doubled down on his assertions, taking to social media to allege Gogoi’s continued proximity to the Pakistani establishment. “There exists every reasonable ground, supported by credible inputs and documented information, to suggest that Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment,” Sarma posted. The Assam government has indicated plans to release findings from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the matter this September. Sarma’s allegations have also extended to the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of promoting a compromised individual into public life.