GUWAHATI, Nov 1: A day after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi is a “Pakistani agent, planted by a foreign power,” the opposition leader on Saturday retaliated, claiming the comments indicate that Sarma is unfit to lead the state.
Gogoi also criticised the timing of the remarks, noting that Sarma made them on the day late cultural icon Zubeen Garg’s last movie, ‘Roi Roi Binale’, was released.
Sarma, however, said he would address Gogoi’s case after ensuring justice in Garg’s death case by early December. On Friday, the chief minister reiterated his allegation, claiming Gogoi had links to Pakistan through his British wife and asserting he possessed evidence to support the claim.
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In response, Gogoi, Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha, posted on X that “over the past few months, Himanta Biswa Sarma has lost credibility.” He added, “When the entire state was watching Garg perform for the last time, the chief minister’s comments reflected his growing fear of losing power. It was another example of why he is unfit as the chief minister of the people of Assam.”
Garg had died while swimming in Singapore on September 19, prompting widespread public grief. The state government constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT) of the police CID to probe the circumstances of his death.
Sarma, reacting to Gogoi’s statement during a programme in Morigaon, said he knows the right time to act against the Congress leader. He referred to the SIT report on alleged anti-India activities of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who is reportedly close to Gogoi’s wife, submitted to the government on September 10.
The chief minister emphasised that people currently want justice for Garg, not Gogoi, and asserted that after December 10, when justice for Zubeen is ensured, he will focus on Gogoi. The SIT investigating Garg’s death is expected to file its chargesheet by the same date. (PTI)
