Why is Assam CM Sarma Targeting Gaurav Gogoi Over Pakistan Visit?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of unauthorized travel to Pakistan by Gaurav Gogoi.
- Concerns regarding national security and political accountability.
- Internal divisions within the Congress party.
- Implications for political alliances in Assam.
- Potential investigations by central agencies.
Guwahati, May 6 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, intensified his criticism against Gaurav Gogoi regarding the Congress MP's trip to Pakistan, allegedly without notifying both the state and Central governments.
During a press conference, the CM raised a series of grave allegations pertaining to Gogoi's recent actions, expressing significant concern.
CM Sarma mentioned that they are currently waiting for specific official correspondence to determine the next steps.
He disclosed that Gogoi had spent 15 days in Pakistan for personal reasons, initially accompanied by his wife, who returned after a week.
The CM questioned the reasoning for Gogoi's prolonged absence, especially since his wife had come back to India. “What was he doing in Pakistan while his wife was here?” he asked directly.
Furthermore, Sarma alleged that upon returning, Gogoi escorted approximately 90 students to the Pakistan Embassy, with some reportedly unaware of their destination.
He criticized the Congress party for its mixed signals, highlighting that while Gogoi has not publicly acknowledged his visit to Pakistan, certain Congress leaders are probing the legality of such travel.
Interestingly, CM Sarma pointed out that internal rifts within the Congress are becoming apparent, with leaders like Bhupen Bora and Ripun Bora seemingly criticizing Gogoi more harshly than the BJP.
Moreover, he hinted at the Gogoi family’s foreign citizenship status, asserting that all immediate family members are non-Indian citizens, which raises questions regarding national security and political responsibility.
The Chief Minister referenced previous incidents, such as Gogoi reportedly misplacing his passport during a visit to Palestine and reporting it in Israel, implying a deliberate effort to complicate the tracing of international travel.
Sarma expressed worries about the loss of vital information due to such actions and suggested the potential for the case to be referred to a central agency.
He confirmed that once the official documents are received by September 10, he would present them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and the Lok Sabha Speaker, recognizing that subsequent decisions would rest with parliamentary authorities considering jurisdictional constraints.