1 day ago
Last Updated:May 18, 2025, 19:32 IST
Assam CM Sarma accused Congress MP Gogoi of visiting Pakistan for ISI training. Gogoi denied it, calling it "nonsense" and questioned Sarma's mental state
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. (PTI file photos)
Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma is at loggerheads with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi after alleging that the opposition leader visited Pakistan at the invitation of its intelligence agency, the ISI. Gogoi has strongly denied the claim, calling it “nonsense" and expressing concern about the Chief Minister’s “mental state".
Speaking at an event on Sunday, Sarma claimed that Gogoi travelled to Pakistan not as a tourist but “for training" on a direct invitation from the country’s Ministry of Interior. He asserted the Assam government has documents to back the allegation, and promised to make them public by 10 September after proper verification.
“Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan on an invitation of the ISI. For the first time, I am saying this. We have documents of the same. He did not go for tourism purposes. He went there definitely for taking training," Sarma stated.
“An invitation from the foreign affairs (department) or any university is altogether a different thing. This was not from the foreign affairs or cultural departments. He went there on a direct invitation from the home department of Pakistan," the Assam CM added.
Sarma further stated, “All his paths are closed. We have seen the evidence. Only we need time till September to get the papers. We have to submit a notice and then the embassy will provide us with the documents… Please do not ask about this again till that time."
The Chief Minister later reiterated his allegation on social media platform X, writing, “I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring further into the details surrounding this visit and related associations."
I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring…— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 18, 2025
Gogoi Hits Back
In a sharp response, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the allegations and took to X to express concern about Sarma’s remarks.
“I am worried about the health of the Chief Minister of Assam," Gogoi wrote. “For some reason best known to him I have been on his radar since my entry into Assam. He has made many baseless remarks about me in the past 13 years. The most recent one borders on insanity and the absurd."
He went on to say that such comments often reflect personal troubles: “It is often said that when there is something bothering at home, it reflects in the mental state of the person. We will ensure that after 2026 he gets to have some rest."
In another post, the Congress MP said, “99% of what the Chief Minister has been saying is nonsense. He should put out the facts in public domain and stop hiding behind an imaginary September deadline."
Gogoi also recalled past instances where Sarma made similar claims, referencing the Bharat Jodo Yatra: “I remember how during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Assam. he created a a fuss about a supposed “body double" of Rahul Gandhi."
Location :Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India
First Published:News politics Himanta Sarma vs Gaurav Gogoi In Fiery X Spat Over Pakistan Remark: 'It's Nonsense'
