BJP, Assam CM hit back after Congress alleges Himanta's wife holds three passports, vows legal action

The political landscape of Assam has been rocked by a recent allegation from the Indian National Congress (INC) party, which accused the state's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of possessing false passports and overseas assets. In a fiery response, Sarma and his wife, Rupali Sarma, have vehemently denied these claims and vowed to take legal action against the INC for spreading false information.

The allegations were first raised by INC leader and former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who accused Sarma of having three passports—an Indian, a British, and a Canadian one—and possessing overseas assets in the United Kingdom and Canada. Gogoi claimed that these assets were acquired through dubious means and that Sarma had concealed this information from the public and the Election Commission of India (EC).

In a press conference held at the Guwahati Press Club, Sarma and his wife categorically denied these allegations, calling them "baseless and malicious." Sarma emphasized that he holds only one Indian passport and has no other nationality. He further stated that his wife, Rupali Sarma, also holds only an Indian passport and has no connection with any foreign nationality.

The couple also refuted the claims of possessing overseas assets, asserting that they have no investments or properties outside India. Sarma explained that his wife's family members have properties in the UK and Canada, but these are not in their names. He added that they have no access to or control over these properties, and that any allegations of them holding overseas assets are entirely false.

The BJP Chief Minister also criticized the INC for resorting to such allegations, describing them as a "desperate attempt to tarnish his image and undermine his leadership." Sarma accused the INC of lacking substance in its political discourse and of focusing solely on character assassination to gain political capital.

In response to the allegations, the EC has announced an inquiry into the matter. The EC has requested the Assam Election Commission to verify the authenticity of the claims made by the INC. The EC has also directed the Assam Election Commission to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a detailed report on the matter.

The BJP has called for a level-playing field and has urged the EC to take a fair and impartial approach to the inquiry. The party has also demanded that the INC be held accountable for spreading false information, which it claims is part of a larger campaign of defamation against the BJP government in Assam.

The INC, on the other hand, has maintained its stance, insisting that it has substantial evidence to back its allegations. The party has accused the BJP government of being corrupt and of using its power to obstruct investigations into such matters.

This latest development in Assam's political arena has once again highlighted the bitter rivalry between the BJP and the INC. The allegations against Sarma have come at a time when the BJP is trying to consolidate its hold on Assam, a state that has been a stronghold of the INC for decades.

The situation in Assam is further complicated by the fact that the state is due for elections in 2024. The BJP, which came to power in Assam in 2016, is keen to retain its majority in the upcoming polls. The allegations against Sarma have therefore come at a sensitive time, with both the BJP and the INC vying for votes and trying to outdo each other in terms of political maneuvering.

As the inquiry by the EC gets underway, it will be interesting to see how the allegations against Sarma play out. If the EC finds the allegations to be baseless, it could bolster the BJP's position in Assam. However, if the EC finds any merit in the allegations, it could potentially lead to a major political crisis in the state.

In the meantime, Sarma and his wife have vowed to fight the allegations with vigor. They have stated that they will not allow the INC to defame their character and that they will take legal action against the party for spreading false information.

The situation in Assam is therefore likely to remain tense in the coming weeks and months. As the inquiry progresses, it will be crucial for all stakeholders to maintain a sense of decorum and to allow the EC to conduct its inquiry in an impartial and transparent manner. Only then can the truth about the allegations against Sarma be established, and the political situation in Assam can return to normal.

In conclusion, the allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have once again highlighted the bitter rivalry between the BJP and the INC. The situation in Assam is further complicated by the upcoming elections, and it will be interesting to see how the allegations play out. As the EC conducts its inquiry, it will be crucial for all stakeholders to maintain a sense of decorum and to allow the EC to conduct its inquiry in an impartial and transparent manner. Only then can the truth about the allegations be established, and the political situation in Assam can return to normal.