Assam CM Levels Allegations Over Pakistan Visit Against Gaurav Gogoi and Wife, Congress Dismisses Claims

Yugcharan / February 8, 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday intensified his political offensive against Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, raising questions over Gogoi’s decade-old visit to Pakistan and the professional engagements of his wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, in that country. The allegations, made during a detailed press conference in Guwahati, have triggered sharp political reactions ahead of the Assembly elections expected in the State later this year.

Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister described Gogoi’s 10-day visit to Pakistan in December 2013 as “unusual” and sought public clarification on its purpose and itinerary. He also raised concerns over what he termed the “digital silence” maintained by the Congress leader during the visit, a period when Gogoi was not active on social media or other public platforms.

According to Sarma, Gogoi entered Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border on December 14, 2013, and stayed there until December 24. He said the initial visa issued by the Pakistan High Commission was reportedly for travel limited to Lahore. However, the Chief Minister claimed that after Gogoi’s arrival, the itinerary was altered to include Islamabad and Karachi, allegedly following an intervention by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.

The Chief Minister asked Gogoi to make public the letter that purportedly enabled this change in travel plans. “There should be transparency about who facilitated these movements and whom he met during this period,” Sarma said, adding that Pakistan was “not a routine tourist destination.”

Claims of Investigation and Training

Escalating his remarks, Sarma stated that the State’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is examining the matter, had accessed Gogoi’s travel details through official documents. He alleged that Gogoi may have been exposed to “some form of orientation or training” during the visit, a claim he said was based on what he described as a pattern of parliamentary questions raised later by the Congress leader.

The Chief Minister pointed out that after entering Parliament in 2014, Gogoi had raised questions related to national security, including issues such as border management, strategic resources, defence preparedness, and infrastructure along sensitive frontiers. According to Sarma, these questions warranted scrutiny in light of the Pakistan visit, though he did not present documentary evidence during the briefing.

Sarma also questioned Gogoi’s decision to take a youth delegation to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi after becoming a Member of Parliament. “Such steps are uncommon and raise questions that need answers,” he said.

Allegations Concerning Elizabeth Gogoi

A significant portion of the Chief Minister’s address focused on Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, a British citizen, and her professional association with climate and development organisations that have operated in Pakistan. Sarma stated that she worked as a consultant with LEAD Pakistan, a climate-focused organisation linked to an international knowledge network, beginning in 2011.

According to the Chief Minister, during questioning by the SIT, she acknowledged having held a bank account in Pakistan, though she did not confirm whether it remained active. Sarma alleged that financial transfers between LEAD Pakistan and LEAD India disproportionately benefited her, citing figures to suggest she received a substantial share of the funds.

He further claimed that arrangements were made to allow her to work from India while reporting to individuals based in Pakistan, and alleged that this structure enabled the continued flow of funds from across the border. The Chief Minister also asserted that she travelled between India and Pakistan multiple times, with some visits allegedly sponsored.

Sarma alleged that during her professional work, confidential policy-related material was shared with entities in Pakistan, including documents that he claimed referenced sensitive internal assessments. These assertions were presented as part of what he described as a broader pattern requiring central scrutiny.

Call for Central Investigation

Citing the seriousness of the allegations, Sarma said the Assam Cabinet had decided to forward the matter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and seek a national-level investigation. He added that while the SIT had so far not questioned Gogoi directly, this could change depending on directions from the Centre.

The Chief Minister also stated that the State government would request the cancellation of Elizabeth Gogoi’s Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration, arguing that her continued status was “not in the national interest.” He gave Gogoi a 10-day period to respond publicly to the allegations, stating that silence would raise further questions.

Political Context and Timing

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of an impending Assembly election in Assam, with political temperatures already running high. Sarma, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2015 after parting ways with the Congress leadership, has frequently targeted the Gogoi family, which has held significant political influence in the State.

Gaurav Gogoi is the son of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and currently serves as both a Member of Parliament and the State Congress president. The Congress has described the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at diverting attention from governance issues.

Gogoi Rejects Allegations

Responding to the Chief Minister’s statements, Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically driven. He said the press conference reflected poorly on the Chief Minister’s credibility and claimed that journalists present were unconvinced by the assertions made.

Gogoi countered the attack by raising questions about land holdings linked to the Chief Minister’s family, alleging accumulation of large tracts across Assam. He said these issues would be addressed if the Congress returned to power in the State.

The Congress leadership has maintained that the accusations are an attempt to malign opposition leaders ahead of elections and has reiterated that no wrongdoing has been established.

Broader Implications

The episode has reignited debate over the use of national security narratives in political discourse. Legal experts note that while governments have the authority to investigate matters involving cross-border financial flows or security concerns, public allegations without judicial findings can complicate democratic debate.

As the matter is now expected to reach central authorities, further developments are likely to depend on official assessments and legal scrutiny. For now, the issue has added a new layer of intensity to Assam’s pre-election political landscape, with both sides preparing for a prolonged and closely watched confrontation.