In a post on X, Gandhi described Himanta Biswa Sarma as the “most corrupt” Chief Minister in the country and called for an investigation into the Congress’s allegations. He wrote: “The present CM of Assam is the most corrupt in the country. He will not escape the law. His abuse of state power to harass his political opponents and critics is against the Constitution. The questions that are being raised have to be probed. Transparency, accountability of power and the rule of law are the basis of our Constitutional values. The Congress Party stands with Pawan Khera. We will not be intimidated.”

The comments followed Assam Police’s appeal to the Supreme Court against the Telangana High Court’s decision to grant Pawan Khera transit anticipatory bail from April 10 for one week, subject to conditions. According to the bail order, Khera must approach the competent jurisdictional court in Assam to seek appropriate legal relief.

Pawan Khera, Chairperson of Congress’ Media and Publicity Department, had alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma owned three passports and that the Chief Minister’s family, including their son, owns a business valued at Rs 52,000 crore in the United States. The Assam Chief Minister denied these claims. Following the allegations, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma filed an FIR against Khera, and Assam Police conducted searches at his residence.

On April 10, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, describing his response as “panic mode” and “desperation”. Speaking to ANI, Gogoi said, “I think CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has totally panicked. He has gone into panic mode. He didn’t expect that reports would become so viral. So, in the last 5-6 days, he has been literally tearing his hair out. His desperation can be seen in his words, actions, and on his face. I would just like to say that just by shouting, truth does not become a lie; just by showcasing that you have the power to investigate doesn’t mean that fact becomes fiction.”