Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has sharply criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following Sarma’s recent allegations linking him to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.

Gogoi dismissed the accusations as “insane and nonsense” in a series of posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning Sarma’s mental state and suggesting that the Chief Minister’s remarks were influenced by personal issues at home.

The controversy began after Sarma publicly alleged that Gogoi had travelled to Pakistan on an invitation from the ISI and had worked closely with Pakistan’s establishment. These serious accusations were met with strong denial from Gogoi, who accused Sarma of spreading baseless claims without any factual support. Gogoi further accused Sarma of resorting to tactics more akin to an “IT cell troll” than a responsible political leader.

Gogoi’s response underlines the intense political rivalry in Assam, where tensions between the Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Sarma, have escalated ahead of crucial elections. The allegations by Sarma, if unsubstantiated, risk deepening political polarisation and diverting attention from pressing governance issues in the state.

Political analysts observe that such accusations are becoming a common feature of election campaigns, where leaders seek to undermine opponents by questioning their loyalty and intentions. Gogoi’s rebuttal, which also touched on Sarma’s personal stability, indicates that the confrontation may escalate further.

As Assam heads towards a key electoral phase, both leaders appear to be intensifying their rhetoric, with the public and political observers watching closely how these claims and counterclaims unfold. The matter continues to dominate political discourse in the state, highlighting the fragility and volatility of the current political climate in Assam.
(With PTI inputs)