Guwahati: Calling the Congress' allegation that his wife holds multiple passports and owns properties abroad concocted, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed that the Opposition party used the "fake" information from a Pakistani social media group.
Gaurav Gogoi, who is leading the Congress-led Opposition camp, dared Sarma to swear on Bhagavad Gita and deny the allegations in public.
Assam Assembly Elections 2026 | Congress accuses Himanta's wife of holding multiple passports, seeks probeAddressing a press conference at Vajpayee Bhawan, BJP's state headquarters, Sarma on Monday morning claimed that the information pertaining to his wife Riniki Sarma Bhuyan were fake and were sourced from a social media group "Pakistanis in Ajman", and her photo was morphed on a lost passport of a person from that country.
"I have told you before that Pakistan-based elements are trying to influence the elections in Assam. Even Pakistan TV channels are hosting discussions on Assam elections. I am concerned that the Congress party took the help of Pakistan to make such fake allegations against my family. I am surprised to see Tarun Gogoi's son stooping so low. This is not a simple fraud case but a crime against the nation," he said.
Sarma's claim came a day after Congress leader Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi claimed that Sarma's wife owns passports of UAE, Egypt and Antigua-Barbuda, two properties in Dubai and assets in shell companies in the US.
Sarma's wife, Riniki on Monday lodged an FIR at Panbazar police station in Guwahati against Khera and others seeking legal action for the "concocted" allegations.
Sarma said the charges have been made to influence the poll results, which is "punishable under the law".
Sarma had earlier alleged that Gaurav and his wife Elizabeth, a British citizen, had links with Pakistan and the ISI. Gaurav rejected the allegations.
After addressing a campaign rally at Raha in central Assam Gaurav said, "I told this yesterday, and I am again repeating it now… I can say under an oath on the Bhagavad Gita that I don't have any property in London as alleged by Sarma. Can he do that? I challenge him to come to a common place and to do the same under an oath on the Bhagavad Gita."
Gaurav said Sarma could not accept it as he had not disclosed these in his election affidavit and so this would lead to the cancellation of his candidature.
"Has Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed his or his family's wealth and properties abroad in his election affidavit? Sarma should welcome an investigation if he has nothing to hide," Gogoi said.
The Opposition led by Gaurav has set the target to oust Sarma-led government while the BJP seeks to register a hat trick by winning the elections for the third straight term. Assembly elections are scheduled on April 9.