Assam CM Himanta Biswa claims Gaurav Gogoi’s wife has ISI links
Congress leader hits back: ’If she’s ISI, I’m a RAW agent’
New Delhi (PTI): In an apparent attack on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday alleged that the MP raised questions in Parliament on sensitive defence matters after his marriage to a British citizen, a charge termed by the opposition leader as a "false accusation".
Sarma's comment comes a day after the BJP had accused Gogoi's wife of having links with Pakistan and the ISI. The deputy opposition leader in the Lok Sabha rejected the allegation as "laughable and entertaining".
"In 2015, the Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Mr Abdul Basit, invited a first-term Member of Parliament (MP) and his startup, Policy for Youth, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi," Sarma claimed in a post on X without naming Gogoi.
The chief minister also said, "Notably, this MP was not a member of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs at the time, raising questions about the intent behind his engagement."
Sarma claimed that the visit occurred "despite India’s official protest against the Pakistani High Commission’s interference in internal matters, particularly its involvement with the Hurriyat Conference".
He also accused the MP of ignoring these concerns and taking 50 to 60 young Indians to meet Pakistani officials.
"A closer examination of his parliamentary questions revealed a growing focus on sensitive defence matters, including inquiries about Coast Guard radar installations, India’s arms factories, aeronautical defence, transit routes for trade with Iran, Kashmiri students, and alleged attacks on churches—marking a noticeable shift in his areas of interest.
"Interestingly, these developments occurred immediately after his marriage to a British citizen with a professional background that raises further questions," Sarma alleged.
The chief minister also claimed that before their marriage, she had worked for an American senator known for close ties with the Pakistani establishment.
"...and later (she) spent time in Pakistan, employed by an organisation widely believed to be a front for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The timing of these events adds another layer of intrigue to the MP’s evolving political stance and actions," Sarma alleged.
Rejecting these allegations, Gogoi told PTI Video, "The BJP has no issues to raise and is dependent on false accusations. The people of India are very active politically and are aware of the lies and confusion that the BJP is spreading."
He also said, "Let them spread lies and we will continue to do our work. Assembly elections are due in Assam next year and we will raise issues of the state like unemployment and inflation while in Manipur, peace is yet to be restored. In a democracy the people are God and I have full faith in them."
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia had on Wednesday alleged that some serious concerning facts related to national security had come to light.
"Links of Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, with Pakistan Planning Commission Advisor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and the ISI, have come to light," he claimed.
This is "extremely concerning" as it relates to national security, he said and demanded the Congress leadership and Gogoi issue a clarification.
The question becomes even more serious as Gogoi's wife is a foreign citizen and the organisation for which she works is funded by George Soros, Bhatia alleged.
Gogoi hit back saying that the BJP resorted to such "baseless allegations" as it has no issue to raise.
''The accusations are laughable and entertaining. If my wife is an ISI agent, then I am a RAW agent'', he quipped.
He claimed that the BJP had carried out a similar "smear campaign" against him and his family ahead of last year's Lok Sabha polls and the people, in reply, elected him from the Jorhat parliamentary constituency.
Gogoi alleged that various land scams by the chief minister's family had been reported to BJP leaders in Delhi.
"Fearing that he might lose his chair, he is trying to divert attention by launching a smear campaign against me and my family," the Congress leader said.
"The assembly election is still a year away but it seems that the BJP is on shaky ground with people losing faith in the party due to which it has launched this attack on me," Gogoi added.
The people of Assam know the ''truth and they will give a befitting reply when the time comes'', he added.
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IPL final shifted for bigger stadium, not ticket issue: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday rubbished allegations that the IPL final venue was shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad due to the distribution of tickets to MLAs.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said the reason for the shift could be the availability of a larger stadium in Ahmedabad.
“Ahmedabad has a large stadium and can accommodate more spectators. That must be the reason the IPL final was shifted there. There is no connection between ticket distribution to MLAs and the venue change,” he said.
When asked about reports linking the venue shift to MLAs demanding tickets, he quipped, “In some places, 50 per cent of tickets are reserved.”
When reporters said the BCCI had indicated that the decision was linked to ticket issues, he responded, “Let them make such statements. I will respond appropriately.”
Bengaluru was originally expected to host the final as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were the defending champions.
Ahmedabad will host the IPL final for a second successive season on May 31, the BCCI announced earlier in the day, while allotting Qualifier 1 to Dharamsala and two other playoff games to New Chandigarh.
The board, however, said the final venue was shifted “owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.”
Shivakumar declined to comment on the revocation of the suspension of Muslim leaders in Davanagere, saying it was a party decision.
Regarding the removal of MLC Naseer Ahmed as CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, he said the chief minister had already spoken on the matter.
“The CM has his own information. Party office-bearers have provided guidance. He was given certain responsibilities, which he did not handle properly, which is why he was removed,” Shivakumar said.
On MLC Abdul Jabbar, who resigned as the state Congress minority cell chief and was later expelled from the party, he said Jabbar had submitted his resignation, which the party accepted.
The Congress in Karnataka faced internal dissent in April when several Muslim leaders objected to the party fielding Samarth Shamanur as its candidate for the recently held Davanagere South Assembly bypoll.
They demanded that a Muslim candidate be fielded, citing the constituency’s substantial Muslim population. The party subsequently took disciplinary action against three leaders, including Jabbar and MLC Ahmed.
When asked about his and the CM’s visit to Delhi, he said, “We will go when the high command calls us. It is not appropriate to go without being called.”
On Congress supporting TVK in Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar said the decision was taken to keep the "BJP out of power and strengthen secular forces." Elections to the 234 Assembly constituencies were held on April 23, and the results were announced on May 4.
The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, announced its support for TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.
The incumbent DMK was trounced by the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Vijay, who secured 108 seats. “Despite pressure from the AIADMK and BJP, TVK did not align with them. Our party has taken this decision in the interest of secular forces and the welfare of Tamil Nadu,” Shivakumar said.
