‘False and fabricated’: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claims ‘Pakistan links’ after Congress asks for wife’s passport
Himanta Biswa Sarma It was claimed on Monday that the entire press conference hosted by Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi was based on material provided by “Pakistani social media groups”.Sarma told a press conference that he and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma had filed an FIR against Pawan Khera for using “fraudulent documents”.He claimed the passport allegedly linked to his wife was fake. “The original UAE passport was uploaded on social media by a Pakistani man. They (Congress) did AI Photoshop on the passport. Tipu Sultan has uploaded the original passport on social media.” The Egyptian passport is also fake. You can find out through Google Reverse,” Salma said.Explaining the sources of the press conference materials, Himanta said the content shared by the Congress leaders came from outside sources.“Yesterday, Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi held two press conferences, one in Delhi and one in Guwahati. During our research, we found that the entire material for the press conference was provided by Pakistani social media groups,” he said.He added that Pakistan-related channels had recently aired several election-related programs in favor of the Congress.“In the last 10 days, a Pakistani channel has done at least 11 talk shows on the Assam elections, which has never happened before. In every talk show, the conclusion was that Congress should win. Pakistan’s link to yesterday’s press conference has also become very obvious now. I am sure the law enforcement agencies will take this into consideration,” Sarma added.The Assam chief minister also warned of the legal consequences of using fraudulent documents to sway public opinion.“Normally, when you pose an issue to the public with fraudulent documents, it attracts sections 420 and 468 of the IPC. When such charges are used to influence election results, higher penalty provisions, including life imprisonment, apply,” he said.Sarma confirmed that his wife had filed an FIR against the allegations. “Yesterday, my wife filed an FIR and I am sure the police will register the case under appropriate legal provisions and take necessary action,” he added.On the issue of Dubai and other passports, Salma dismissed the claims as false.“Assam police have launched an investigation. The Dubai government website has confirmed that the above-mentioned Dubai passport is fake. The Indian government has also confirmed again that the Dubai passport is fake,” he said.He clarified that reports on other passports linked to his wife were expected to be provided by various governments soon.“Reports for the other two passports will be received on Monday or Tuesday. The photo used in one of the passports is not that of my wife,” Salma stressed.Sarma also highlighted technical inconsistencies in the alleged documents, calling them evidence of fabrication or digital manipulation. He gave a detailed introduction, claiming that anyone can register a company by paying $199. Himanta alleged that Congress used images of passports and documents obtained from Pakistani social media groups.He maintained that the allegations were part of the Congress’s politically motivated campaign ahead of the Assam Assembly elections.
Gaurav Gogoi mocks Himanta
Assam Congress Committee (APCC) chief Gaurav Gogoi on Monday took a jibe at the Prime Minister over the Dubai passport issue. “Learn about Dubai’s Golden Visa. It is a long-term residence visa that enables investors to live in the United Arab Emirates,” he wrote in a post on X.
What’s the controversy?
The controversy stems from claims by Pawan Khera that documents showed Salma’s wife held multiple valid passports, raising questions about possible breaches of Indian law. Kaira also questioned the chief minister’s stance on the dual citizenship clause: “Himantha Biswa Sarma’s entire politics is based on hatred against Muslims, but how can his wife hold passports from two Muslim countries? As per Indian law, you cannot have dual citizenship, so does Rinji Bhuyan Sarma also hold an Indian passport? Is Himanta Biswa Sarma the adopted son of Amit Shah? Does the country’s home minister know that his adopted son’s wife has 3 passports?” Passports? “Kaira further demanded an inquiry into the chief minister’s overseas financial and property links, claiming that his wife’s Dubai and US assets were hidden in official affidavits.The passport and foreign assets dispute follows a series of earlier allegations by Keira, who raised questions about multiple passports, overseas shell companies and undisclosed assets linked to the chief minister’s family.“Do they deny that they have no property in Dubai? Do they deny that they have no companies in the United States? Do they deny that they have no shell companies anywhere in the world? We are bringing more evidence every day. There will be more to come. Why did he conceal in his election affidavit the Dubai property owned by his wife?”In response, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the filing of criminal and civil defamation proceedings against Kaira and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
