Congress Escalates Confrontation with Assam Chief Minister Following Police Action
The Congress party has significantly intensified its political offensive against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This escalation comes in direct response to a recent police operation where Assam Police officials conducted a search at the Delhi residence of prominent Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. The incident has ignited a fierce war of words between the national opposition party and the BJP-led state government.
Allegations of State Machinery Misuse and Defamation FIR
The police action is directly linked to a criminal defamation First Information Report (FIR) that was officially filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of the Assam Chief Minister. This legal complaint stems from specific allegations publicly made by Pawan Khera. During a press conference, Khera claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possesses multiple passports from different countries, specifically citing Indian, United Arab Emirates, and Egyptian documents.
The Sarma family has categorically and vehemently denied all these allegations. They have dismissed the presented documents as "AI-generated fabrications" and "doctored images" created with malicious intent. Despite these denials, the political fallout has been substantial and immediate.
Senior Congress Leaders Condemn Police Action
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge swiftly called upon the central government to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into the serious allegations concerning assets abroad and the possession of foreign passports. "The Centre must probe allegations against Himanta's wife possessing assets abroad, having passports of 3 countries," Kharge asserted, framing the issue as one requiring federal scrutiny.
Senior Congress leader and General Secretary Jairam Ramesh launched a scathing critique, alleging blatant misuse of administrative power. In a detailed post on social media platform X, Ramesh stated, "The deployment of a full army of police officials to arrest my colleague Pawan Khera for asking basic questions in the public interest proves that the Assam CM is disturbed, desperate, and rattled." He further characterized the police search not as legitimate due process but as a "witch hunt" and an act of a "bully using state machinery to muzzle and silence the voice of the Opposition."
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also joined the chorus of criticism, directly questioning the rationale behind the police action. She challenged Chief Minister Sarma to address the corruption allegations substantively rather than resorting to intimidation tactics. "Serious corruption allegations have been made against Himanta Biswa Sarma… Pawan Khera ji has made some allegations. Please respond to them… Why is your police coming to Delhi to threaten?" Shrinate questioned, highlighting the perceived overreach of state police jurisdiction.
Assam Chief Minister's Firm Response and Counter-Allegations
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remained defiant in the face of the Congress party's accusations. He had previously vowed to take "stringent action" against Pawan Khera for the allegations, linking his resolve to the upcoming electoral battle. "I will take stringent action against Congress leader Pawan Khera. Just wait for a few days. We will win at least 100 seats in the elections," Sarma declared, connecting the legal and political fronts.
Following the police operation, Sarma claimed that Khera had "run away" to Hyderabad after learning that officers had arrived at his Delhi home. "I have come to know through the media that the police have gone to his residence in Delhi, but he has run away to Hyderabad. The law will take its own course," the Chief Minister told news agency ANI, emphasizing a commitment to legal procedures.
Furthermore, Sarma outright rejected the allegations concerning properties in Dubai. He asserted that the documents cited by the Congress were sourced without proper authorization from the website Scribd, implying a lack of credibility. In a significant escalation, the Chief Minister reiterated previous claims of "Pakistani links" involving Congress leaders, specifically naming Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera. "Why did you take help from a Pakistani social media group?… my allegation is why Pakistan is helping Gaurav Gogoi," Sarma questioned, introducing a national security dimension to the political dispute.
Political Context: Timing Before Assam Assembly Elections
This heated political row has dramatically intensified in the crucial final hours before the Assam assembly elections. The high-stakes polling is scheduled for April 9, with official campaigning set to conclude. The timing of the police action and the subsequent fiery exchanges have injected a fresh and volatile element into the election atmosphere. The results of this electoral contest, with vote counting slated for May 4, are now being watched even more closely as this controversy unfolds.
The confrontation underscores the deep political divisions and the aggressive campaigning strategies employed by both major parties. It raises significant questions about the use of state apparatus, the nature of political discourse, and the allegations of corruption that are now at the center of a major electoral battle in Assam.
