Guwahati: A sharp exchange of accusations and counter-claims has reignited the political feud between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, as the state continues to grapple with sensitive political dynamics. The confrontation came to the fore once again on Friday, when Sarma publicly labeled Gogoi a “100 per cent Pakistani agent” allegedly “planted by a foreign power,” escalating the rhetoric between the two leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma did not hold back in his allegations. He claimed that Gogoi had been intentionally positioned by foreign interests to influence India’s internal political scenario.

“Gaurav Gogoi is a Pakistani agent, he is purely that. He has been planted by foreign power in our country,” Sarma said emphatically.

Sarma went on to assert that he possessed substantial evidence to support his claim and dared anyone to file a defamation case against him if the allegations were found to be untrue.

“I have so much information that when I reveal it, you will realise he is 100 per cent a Pakistan agent. He has been planted by a foreign power in India, and I am speaking with appropriate proof,” he added.
“I will act at the right time,” he said, explaining that he had not yet held a press conference on the matter because it might be seen as diverting attention from the recent death of celebrated singer Zubeen Garg.

Gogoi Fires Back: Questioning Sarma’s Fitness as Chief Minister

In response, Gaurav Gogoi, who leads the Congress party in Assam, criticized Sarma’s timing and content of the remarks, arguing that such statements illustrate why Sarma is “unfit to be the Chief Minister of the people of Assam.”

Gogoi took to social media platform X to express his disapproval of the chief minister’s comments, particularly noting the context of public mourning in the state following the death of Zubeen Garg.

“Over the past few months Himanta Biswa Sarma dangoriya has lost credibility. Yesterday, when the entire state was watching Zubeen Garg perform for the last time in Roi Roi Binale, the Chief Minister’s comments showed his growing fear of losing power. It was another example of why he is unfit as the Chief Minister of the people of Assam,” Gogoi wrote.

The reference to Roi Roi Binale, meaning “Tears still flow,” pertains to Zubeen Garg’s last movie, which opened to packed theaters across Assam and other parts of the country on Friday. Gogoi’s post implied that Sarma’s remarks were politically opportunistic and insensitive to the ongoing public mourning.

Political Context and Tensions

The renewed confrontation between Sarma and Gogoi is part of a larger pattern of political acrimony in Assam. Both leaders occupy key positions in the state’s power dynamics—Sarma as the incumbent Chief Minister representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Gogoi as a prominent opposition figure in the Congress party. Their public exchanges often reflect broader tensions over policy, governance, and electoral strategies in Assam.

Political analysts note that such high-decibel accusations, especially those involving national security and foreign influence, are relatively rare and heighten the stakes in the state’s political discourse. Sarma’s repeated claims against Gogoi have been met with skepticism by opponents and civil society observers, many of whom question the timing and evidentiary basis of the allegations.

Meanwhile, Gogoi’s sharp rebuttal underlines the ongoing narrative of accountability and decorum expected from public office holders. By linking Sarma’s statements to the public mourning of Zubeen Garg, Gogoi aimed to frame the chief minister’s actions as politically motivated rather than grounded in genuine concern for national security.

Looking Ahead

As the political environment in Assam remains tense, the feud between Sarma and Gogoi is likely to continue shaping public discourse. The timing of the exchange, alongside a culturally significant moment with the release of Garg’s last movie, adds layers of public sentiment and political symbolism.

Observers suggest that both leaders are maneuvering for influence ahead of upcoming electoral cycles and policy debates, with accusations of foreign interference and political mismanagement becoming potent tools in Assam’s high-stakes political arena.

The Sarma-Gogoi feud underscores the deeply polarized political climate in Assam, where national security narrativesintersect with cultural and electoral sensitivities, and where public perception can significantly influence political fortunes.

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