Assam CM Critiques Gaurav Gogoi Over Spouse's Foreign Citizenship
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Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi for his wife's 12-year retention of foreign citizenship, highlighting discrepancies in citizenship laws for lawmakers. CM Sarma emphasized national loyalty and discussed potential investments from Singapore during his visit.
Key Takeaways
- CM Sarma's comments on foreign citizenship laws.
- Concerns over Gaurav Gogoi's wife’s citizenship status.
- Importance of national loyalty emphasized.
- Collaboration with Singapore discussed for investments.
- Focus on semiconductor manufacturing in Assam.
Guwahati, February 12 (NationPress) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday made an indirect remark aimed at Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, pointing out that his wife has maintained foreign citizenship for a duration of 12 years post their marriage.
In a post on X, CM Sarma stated, “Through my discussions with an IFS officer in Singapore, I discovered that members of the Indian Foreign Service are prohibited from marrying foreign nationals without prior approval from the Government of India. Furthermore, even if permission is granted, it is mandatory for the spouse to obtain Indian citizenship within six months. Intriguingly, this stipulation does not extend to our lawmakers.”
“Nevertheless, permitting a lawmaker's foreign spouse to hold onto foreign citizenship for 12 years is excessively long. Loyalty to the nation should always take precedence over other considerations,” the CM emphasized.
Elizabeth Colebourn, the wife of Gogoi, had previously collaborated with Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, a senior advisor to Pakistan's Planning Commission, raising significant concerns as Gaurav Gogoi serves as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
Gogoi wed Elizabeth Colebourn in Guwahati in 2013 and became actively involved in politics shortly thereafter.
He secured his first victory in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 from the Kaliabor constituency in Assam.
CM Sarma was in Singapore, where he engaged with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Tuesday, discussing the state's potential to emerge as a significant hub for global investments.
On X, he wrote, “It was a tremendous privilege to meet the President of Singapore, H.E @Tharman_S, today. Our discussions revolved around ongoing collaborative projects, particularly focusing on Assam’s pivotal role in the India-Singapore Comprehensive Partnership. I also reminisced about the cherished memories from His Excellency’s visit to Assam in 2022.”
“We are immensely grateful for Singapore’s collaboration in #AdvantageAssam2 and anticipate fortifying our partnership in burgeoning sectors like semiconductors, green energy, and advanced technology,” the CM added.
CM Sarma has urged industry players from Singapore to become partners in the forthcoming semiconductor manufacturing facility in the Jagiroad area of the Morigaon district in Assam.
