'Cannot be a Hindu or Khilonjiya leader': Gaurav Gogoi counters Himanta on 'Pakistan links' remark

Gaurav Gogoi

• Gaurav Gogoi accused Assam CM Sarma of lacking indigenous and Hindu leadership
• Gogoi criticized Sarma's support for CAA and questioned his moral authority
• Sarma accused Gogoi of Pakistan ties, calling it a global conspiracy.

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Congress MP and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi mounted a scathing attack on Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, questioning his political credibility and moral authority while challenging his claims of being a Hindu or indigenous (Khilonjiya) leader.

Addressing party workers, Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of projecting a false image and said Sarma could not claim the mantle of indigenous leadership while supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which has been widely opposed in Assam for its perceived impact on indigenous identity.

“What does he try to portray himself as? Does he believe he is a great Hindu leader or a great Khilonjiya leader?” Gogoi asked, adding that support for CAA disqualifies Sarma from claiming to represent indigenous Assamese interests.

Continuing his tirade, the Congress leader invoked moral values ​​associated with Hinduism, alleging that the Chief Minister had failed to live up to them. “Hindu means satya (truth), but today he is the biggest liar among all Chief Ministers. Hindu means nirbhay (fearless), but he keeps changing sides and political parties. Hindu also means integrity, and that is completely missing,” Gogoi said.

He also took a swipe at Sarma's political journey, accusing him of ideological inconsistency and opportunism, remarks that are likely to intensify the already sharp political rivalry ahead of key electoral battles in the state.

Earlier on Wednesday, Assam CM Himanta Sarma claimed that the probe against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi's alleged links with Pakistan has revealed "just one per cent" of a global "conspiracy" to weaken India.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a government function here, Sarma also stressed that the investigation carried out by the Assam Police was not against one individual but against a system. The CM had earlier stated that Gogoi and his British wife have "direct links with Pakistan".