Himanta Biswa Sarma (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday refuted allegations of a political “witch hunt” over the controversy involving Congress MP
Gaurav Gogoi
‘s British wife
Elizabeth Colburn
, and her alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI. Sarma insisted that his actions are driven purely by
national security
interests, which can not be compromised.
“You will be shocked in the coming months. Let me assure you, with all the responsibility vested in me, this is not a witch hunt. I, too, have served under Sri Tarun Gogoi, and I fully understand the gravity of such actions,” Assam CM said in response to a post by Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi on X.
“What I am doing is driven solely by national security interests — an area where there can be no compromise. I have taken an oath to protect the security and sovereignty of our nation, and I will uphold it, no matter what,” Sarma added.
The BJP has been targeting Gaurav Gogoi, the deputy leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, over Colburn’s alleged connections with Pakistan’s spy agency. Sarma reiterated that protecting India’s security and sovereignty was his top priority. “This is a duty that transcends politics and personal ties—this is about our country,” he asserted.
Congress hits back
Pradyut Bordoloi dismissed the allegations, accusing Sarma of indulging in “skulduggery politics.” Meanwhile, Gogoi claimed that the controversy was fuelled by the BJP’s fear of losing the 2026 Assam assembly elections.
The Assam Police on Monday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh over his social media remarks on Assam and India’s internal affairs. Sheikh, an advisor to Pakistan’s Planning Commission and a former colleague of Colburn, has been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
No case against Gogoi, probe into campaign role
Despite the allegations, the Assam Cabinet decided not to register any case against Gogoi or Colburn but directed the state police chief to file an FIR against Sheikh. Additionally, the government plans to request a central probe into Colburn’s role in past Lok Sabha campaigns in the Kaliabor constituency, where Gogoi won twice, despite her British nationality.
Sarma, while softening his stance on Gogoi, suggested that the Congress leader might be “trapped or blackmailed” in a larger “anti-India” conspiracy.
Last week, Sarma had escalated the attack, demanding answers from Gogoi over allegations of ISI links, involvement in radicalisation efforts, and his wife’s refusal to take Indian citizenship for 12 years. He also questioned whether Gogoi had raised sensitive defense issues in Parliament after his marriage to Colburn, a claim dismissed by the Congress MP as a “false accusation.”
Gogoi ridiculed the allegations, calling them “laughable and entertaining,” and accused the BJP of attempting to defame his family. He also vowed to take legal action against the accusations.
