In the lead-up to the Assam Assembly elections expected by April 2026, a political storm has erupted with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing Congress MP and Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi of having links to Pakistani intelligence. Sarma alleges that Gogoi, his wife Elizabeth Colburn, and a Pakistani national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, have a "deeper connection," suggesting that information was being passed to Pakistan. He has also claimed that Gogoi undertook a "very confidential" visit to Pakistan in 2013, where he may have received "some kind of training".
Gogoi has vehemently denied these charges, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated. He has accused Sarma of using these allegations to divert attention from corruption allegations and land ownership claims involving the Chief Minister's family. Gogoi has also criticized Sarma for allegedly revealing private information about his minor children.
Sarma's accusations include claims that Colburn violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by receiving salary from Sheikh while working in India and that she worked with LEAD Pakistan, an organization run by Sheikh, before coming to India. He alleges that funds were sent from LEAD Pakistan to LEAD India, which then paid Colburn, bypassing FCRA regulations. Sarma has asserted that these actions bypassed the Indian government and that the matter cannot be investigated by Assam Police alone. He has recommended a national probe by the Ministry of Home Affairs and intends to seek the cancellation of Colburn's Overseas Citizen of India status, deeming her presence detrimental to national interest.
Gogoi has refuted the claims about his wife receiving a salary from Pakistan as "mindless" and "bogus". He described Sarma's press conference as "worse than a C-grade cinema" and a "super flop". He has also challenged Sarma to prove his allegations or face a defamation suit.
The Chief Minister has stated that the investigation into Gogoi's alleged Pakistan links is being conducted for the "sake of national security," with any political impact being secondary. Sarma claims to possess evidence that would prove Gogoi is "100% a Pakistani agent" and that he was "planted" in India by a foreign power. He has also questioned Gogoi's "suspicious" visit to Pakistan in 2013, during which Sarma says Gogoi maintained "digital silence" and was allowed to travel to Islamabad and Karachi after intervention from the Pakistani government.
The accusations and counter-accusations have ignited a sharp political exchange between the BJP and the Congress, intensifying the ongoing war of words in Assam and at the national level. The opposition has accused the ruling party of politicizing sensitive issues, and there are rising demands for clarity, evidence, and accountability. The Assam State cabinet is expected to discuss the SIT report and decide on the future course of action.