Gaurav Gogoi Dismisses BJP’s ‘Pakistan Links’ Allegation as Slanderous
Congress Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly denied the BJP’s claims that his wife, Elizabeth Coleburn, has connections with Pakistan.
On Sunday, he expressed full faith in the people of Assam, stating that they would see through the “obvious slander campaign” launched against him and his family.
He asserted that the BJP has resorted to such tactics due to its inability to deliver on promises.
“The BJP government has no performance to show. They are unable to fulfill any of their promises and, to hide their failures, they are embarking upon a mischievous, malicious, baseless, fact-less, slanderous campaign. We will definitely be taking appropriate action,” Gogoi stated.
Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Forefront of Allegations
Gogoi specifically called out Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for leading the attacks against him.
He compared Sarma’s failed campaign in the Jharkhand assembly elections to the upcoming Assam elections, suggesting that the people of the state would reject BJP’s rhetoric.
“The way the people of Jharkhand voted out the rhetoric of Himanta Biswa Sarma, similarly, the wisdom of the Assamese people will prevail. They will vote in a Congress-led government in the upcoming election,” Gogoi said.
Gogoi also backed Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh’s statement that the BJP is targeting him because of next year’s Assam assembly elections.
BJP’s Allegations Against Elizabeth Coleburn
The controversy started when the BJP alleged that Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Coleburn, had ties with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, while working in Islamabad under Tauqeer Sheikh, a former advisor to the Planning Commission of Pakistan.
The ruling party also accused her of participating in election campaigns despite being a British citizen.
On Saturday, Sarma announced that Gogoi’s wife would be investigated for her alleged ties to ISI and suggested her visa be revoked. He also claimed that Gogoi himself might have been “trapped unintentionally.”
Gogoi Rejects Claims, Calls Out Political Motivations
During a press conference, Gogoi dismissed these allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
He pointed out the inconsistency in the BJP’s claims, stating that while he has consistently presented facts, the ruling party has been changing its narrative every day.
“The Chief Minister’s remarks make it clear that the people of Assam have now recognized his real face,” said Gogoi.
“His facial expression seemed different, which shows that he is scared. The power he once held appears to have diminished, and his daily conversations have become inconsistent.”
He further emphasized that the BJP’s desperation stems from its fear of losing the upcoming election.
Allegations and Government Action
Elizabeth Coleburn was working with the Climate and Knowledge Development Network (CDKN) in Islamabad, and BJP leaders have linked her to Pakistani intelligence due to her association with Tauqeer Sheikh.
Sarma described the allegations as “very disturbing” and suggested that they posed a threat to national security.
Following a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Sarma directed authorities to register an FIR against Tauqeer Sheikh. He stated that Sheikh had been involved in activities that disrupted communal harmony in Assam.
According to Sarma, social media assessments and publicly available information indicate that Sheikh had been in contact with Coleburn.
“Both Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi have been a part of a global climate action group called the CDKN, which operates in both India and Pakistan,” he said.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Changing Narrative
Gogoi also pointed out that Sarma has been inconsistent in his statements. “While he was in Singapore, he was saying something; now his words are different. Previously, I was a culprit; now, I am the victim. That’s why I am saying again and again that he changes his words each and every day,” Gogoi remarked.
Congress MP Denies Wrongdoing, Prepares Legal Action
Gogoi has asserted that he and his wife have done nothing wrong and that the Assam government is free to investigate. However, he emphasized that legal steps are being considered against the accusations.
“The Assam government can conduct any inquiry, but we know where we stand,” he said.
“It’s the looming fear of the upcoming election. They have realized that the Congress will form the next government, and this is causing concern about what might happen in the future under Congress leadership.”
Future Political Implications
As Assam heads toward the 2025 elections, this controversy is likely to remain a key issue.
While the BJP continues its accusations, Gogoi and the Congress party have positioned the allegations as a diversionary tactic to cover up governance failures.
Whether this strategy will affect voter sentiment remains to be seen, but the political battle in Assam is undoubtedly heating up.
