New Delhi: A fresh political storm has erupted after BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Elizabeth Colebourn, wife of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, had ties with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through her past work with the Climate and Knowledge Development Network (CDKN) in Islamabad. The BJP claimed that she worked under Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, a former advisor to Pakistan’s Planning Commission, raising national security concerns.

BJP’s allegations were met with strong rebuttals from Gogoi and the Congress party. The Congress leader called out the ruling party for spreading misinformation instead of focusing on real issues like inflation, unemployment, and the ongoing Manipur crisis.

"Today, BJP doesn't have any issues to raise. They are dependent on spreading lies. I feel that people of the country are very intelligent and they can see the difference between lies and truth. Let them spread rumours, we will continue to do our work," Gogoi said.

Reacting sharply to the claims, Gogoi mocked the BJP’s accusations by stating:

"If my wife is an ISI agent of Pakistan, then I am a R&AW agent of India. I don’t mind if a family against whom there are various cases and several allegations makes accusations against me."

Adding fuel to the controversy, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also hinted at the allegations without taking names, stating on X (formerly Twitter):

"Serious questions need to be answered regarding allegations of ISI links, leading young individuals to the Pakistan Embassy for brainwashing and radicalisation, and the refusal to take Indian citizenship for the past 12 years."

Gogoi fired back at Sarma, alleging that the Chief Minister was attempting to distract from his own controversies, including land-grabbing allegations and internal BJP leadership tensions. He claimed that Sarma fears being replaced by BJP's Dilip Saikia and is resorting to political theatrics to secure his position.

"The Assam Chief Minister is making these allegations only to divert attention from the allegations against him. Those who make such allegations must see that their own family is facing land-grabbing cases. The BJP leadership in Delhi knows about this, and he is worried about getting replaced," Gogoi asserted.

With elections approaching, the political battle between the BJP and Congress is intensifying, with allegations and counter-allegations shaping the discourse. The national security angle introduced by the BJP is expected to fuel further debates and scrutiny.