Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday sparked a major political controversy after claiming that the family of senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi has bank accounts in Pakistan. The allegation, made during a media interaction, triggered sharp reactions from the Congress and intensified the ongoing political confrontation in the state. Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister alleged that information related to foreign bank accounts linked to Gaurav Gogoi’s family had come to light and raised serious questions. Sarma said the matter was sensitive in nature and touched upon issues of national interest. He added that the public has the right to know the truth and asserted that further details would be revealed at an appropriate time. However, no documents or official records were presented during the briefing to support the claim.
The allegation immediately drew strong condemnation from the Congress party. Senior party leaders described the statement as “baseless, defamatory and politically motivated.” They accused the Chief Minister of attempting to divert attention from governance-related issues by targeting Opposition leaders with unverified claims. The Congress demanded that Sarma either produce concrete evidence to back his allegation or issue an unconditional apology. Gaurav Gogoi also responded strongly, rejecting the claim outright. Calling the allegation “false and irresponsible,” the Congress MP said neither he nor his family has any bank accounts in Pakistan. Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of misusing his constitutional position to spread misinformation for political gain. He maintained that all financial dealings of his family are legal, transparent and within the framework of Indian law. Gogoi further indicated that he would consider legal options if such allegations continue. The controversy has further deepened political divisions in Assam, with leaders from both sides engaging in a war of words. BJP leaders rallied behind the Chief Minister, stating that the issue should be investigated thoroughly if there are serious questions involved. They argued that matters related to foreign financial links must be treated with utmost seriousness and transparency.
On the other hand, Opposition parties accused the ruling BJP of lowering the level of political discourse. Several Opposition leaders said that sensitive allegations involving another country should not be made casually without proof, as such statements can have serious implications. They urged investigative agencies to remain impartial and act strictly on the basis of verified facts and evidence. Political analysts believe the timing of the allegation is significant, coming amid heightened political activity and ahead of future electoral contests. Observers say such controversies are likely to sharpen political polarization in the state and dominate public debate in the coming days. As the row continues, attention is now focused on whether the Chief Minister will substantiate his claims with evidence or whether the issue will remain confined to political allegations and counter-allegations. The development has once again highlighted the increasingly confrontational nature of Assam’s political landscape.