NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday alleged that the entire press conference conducted by Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi was based on material supplied by a ‘Pakistani social media group’.Addressing a press conference, Sarma said that both he and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, have filed an FIR against Pawan Khera over what he described as the use of ‘fraudulent documents’.He claimed that the passports allegedly linked to his wife were fake. “The original UAE passport was uploaded on social media by a Pakistani man. They (Congress) did AI Photoshop in the passport. Tipu Sultan had uploaded the original passport on social media. The Egyptian passport is also fake. You can find out through Google Reverse,” Sarma said.Explaining the origin of the press conference material, Himanta said that the content shared by Congress leaders was sourced externally.“Yesterday, Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi did two press conferences, one in Delhi, one in Guwahati. During our research, we found that the entire material of the press conference was supplied by a Pakistani social media group,” he said.He added that Pakistan-linked channels had recently broadcast multiple election-related shows favoring Congress.“In the last 10 days, a Pakistan channel has done at least 11 talk shows regarding the election in Assam, which never happened earlier. In every talk show, the conclusion is that Congress should win. Pakistan’s link to yesterday’s press conference has also now become very apparent. I am sure this will be taken into consideration by the law enforcement agency,” Sarma added.Assam CM also warned about the legal consequences of using fraudulent documents to influence public opinion.“Normally, when you raise an issue before the public with fraudulent documents, it attracts sections 420 and 468 of the IPC. When such allegations are used to influence the outcome of an election, higher penalty provisions apply, including life imprisonment,” he said.Sarma confirmed that his wife had filed an FIR in response to the allegations. “Yesterday, my wife filed an FIR, and I am sure that the police will register the case under the appropriate sections of law and take necessary action,” he added.On the issue of Dubai and other passports, Sarma dismissed the claims as fake.“The Assam Police have already initiated an inquiry. Confirmation has been received from a Dubai government website that the Dubai passport mentioned is fake. The Indian government has also reconfirmed that the Dubai passport is fake,” he said.He clarified that reports on the other passports linked to his wife are expected from the respective governments soon.“Reports on the other two passports will be received by Monday or Tuesday. The photograph used in one of the passports is not that of my wife,” Sarma stressed.Sarma has also highlighted technical inconsistencies across the alleged documents, calling them evidence of fabrication or digital manipulation. He presented a detailed presentation claiming that anyone can register a company by paying USD 199. Himanta alleged that Congress used images of passports and documents procured from a Pakistani Social Media Group.He maintained that the allegations are part of a politically motivated campaign by Congress ahead of the Assam assembly elections.
Gaurav Gogoi jibes Himanta
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi on Monday jibed the CM over the Dubai passport row. In a post on X, he wrote: “Reading about the Golden visa in Dubai. It is a long-term residence visa which enables to investors to live in the United Arab Emirates.”
What is the controversy?
The controversy stems from claims made by Pawan Khera, who alleged that documents suggested that Sarma’s wife holds multiple active passports, raising questions over possible violations of Indian law. Khera also questioned the chief minister’s stance on dual citizenship provisions: “Himanta Biswa Sarma’s entire politics is based on hatred against Muslims, but how does his wife hold passports from two Muslim countries? According to Indian law, you cannot hold dual citizenship, so does Rinki Bhuyan Sarma also hold an Indian passport? Is Himanta Biswa Sarma the adopted son of Amit Shah? And did the country’s Home Minister know that his adopted son’s wife holds 3 passports?”Khera further demanded an investigation into the chief minister’s financial and property links abroad, alleging that his wife’s Dubai and US assets were concealed in official affidavits.The passport and foreign asset row follows a series of allegations raised by Khera earlier, who questioned multiple passports, overseas shell companies and undisclosed properties linked to the CM’s family.“Are they denying that they have no property in Dubai? Are they denying that they have no company in America? Are they denying that they have no shell companies anywhere in the world? We will give much more evidence every day. A lot is coming. Why has he concealed the Dubai properties owned by his wife from his election affidavit?”In response, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced criminal and civil defamation cases against Khera and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
