Guwahati, May 18 (PTI) Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his accusation of the MP's alleged Pakistani links and questioned his mental state due to "issues at the home front".
In a series of posts on X, Gogoi said Sarma's recent remarks were "insane and nonsense" and that he was behaving like an "IT cell troll" without talking with facts.
Gogoi's remarks came after Sarma alleged that the Congress leader visited Pakistan on an invitation from its spy agency ISI and that he worked closely with the establishment of the neighbouring nation.
"For some reason best known to him, I have been on his radar since my entry into Assam (politics). He has made many baseless remarks about me in the past 13 years. The most recent one borders on insanity and the absurd," the Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha said.
He expressed his concern for the health condition of the chief minister of Assam.
"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," Gogoi said.
Assembly elections are due in Assam during March-April next year.
Gogoi further alleged that the script Sarma is following to link the parliamentarian with Pakistani spy agency ISI is "worse than a B grade film".
"It is said to cover up one lie a person has to say countless lies. That is exactly what the chief minister is doing. He is not giving out any facts and simply behaving like an IT cell troll. A chief minister should not be a troll. If he has any facts supporting his most recent allegation he should put it out in the public domain. The farce cannot be hidden for too long," Gogoi said.
The Assam parliamentarian also stated that 99 per cent of what the chief minister has been saying is "baseless, ridiculous and nonsense".
"He should put out the facts in public domain and stop hiding behind an imaginary September deadline. I doubt if even in September the chief minister can put out any concrete facts. I remember how during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Assam he created a fuss about a supposed 'body double' of Rahul Gandhi," he added.
Gogoi also claimed that Sarma has been insecure with him for the past 13 years, while the Congress will focus on the dire economic situation of the state and the coal-drug mafia being run under political protection.
Addressing a press conference later, the Congress MP said Sarma has been, since February this year, levelling some allegations regarding his Pakistan visit.
"From the first day itself, I am asking him to make the evidence public, but he has not done so. There should be some difference between him and the Rs 1,500-troll. Now, the CM is getting agitated if journalists ask him questions and attempt to brand them as Pakistanis," he added.
Sarma is now delaying giving proofs till September and when September comes, he will again seek three months' time, Gogoi said.
"Defaming people is his weapon. He does this very often. We see some sort of frustration in him. Gradually his remarks are getting weird with every passing day... This time it is like a C grade film. So baseless topics he has been raising.
"I request the CM to end his drama and work on real issues affecting the state. Don't create confusion among the people," the parliamentarian said.
Earlier in the day, Sarma alleged that Gogoi visited Pakistan on an invitation from its spy agency ISI, and that he worked closely with the establishment of the neighbouring nation.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an official function here, Sarma asserted that the government has documentary evidence to support this claim, and "every proof will be presented before the public by September 10" 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 to take training," the CM claimed.
"... He was (working) closely with the Pakistan establishment. When does the Home Department send an invitation? It is only to impart training. Otherwise, why would ISI invite him?" Sarma added.