Guwahati, May 18 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday alleged that Congress MP Gaurav 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 for taking training," the CM claimed.
The Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha went there on a direct invitation of the Pakistan government and “it was dangerous”, Sarma said.
"... 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?
"An invitation from the foreign affairs (department) or any university is altogether a different thing. This was not from the foreign affairs or cultural departments. He went there on a direct invitation from the home department of Pakistan," Sarma asserted.
The chief minister stressed that the government here has proof of Gogoi's actions, and there is no way to escape from it.
"All his paths are closed. We have seen the evidence. Only we need time till September to get the papers. We have to submit a notice and then the embassy will provide us with the documents. September 10 is final and please do not ask about this again till that time, or else people will think that this CM has no other work apart from it," he said.
The Assam CM and the BJP have been attacking Gogoi over his wife's alleged connection with ISI. Sarma had claimed that Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn had travelled 19 times between India and Pakistan.
Sarma also criticised a section of the media, stating that there is nothing childish as being projected by some local outlets here about Gogoi visiting Pakistan after receiving a letter from the home department of that country.
"It is a very serious matter. Wait till September 10 and you will be shocked to know the details.
"When I am stating every 24 hours from the CM's chair that we have definite evidence, you should believe the CM and be ready to sacrifice your love and affection (for Gogoi)," he said.
Sarma also asserted that there is no point criticising the BJP over the matter, and asserted that if any leader from the ruling party has visited Pakistan on an invitation from its home department, the government will nab him immediately.
"There is no compromise with Pakistan. This is a very serious offence outside the purview of elections. Otherwise, I could have presented it just before the assembly polls in April next year.
"For sports or religious purposes, people visit. All Congress, BJP members from Punjab visit Pakistan Gurudwara; that's a different thing and it is allowed under special permission. However, if someone from the BJP is engaged in business or went there on invitation of the Pakistan government, definitely I will forward the name to our national president J P Nadda for necessary action," he said.
When pointed out about Gogoi's omission from the all-party delegation travelling to world capitals to put across India's resolve to tackle terrorism against the backdrop of 'Operation Sindoor', Sarma said three parliamentarians from the northeast are included and people here are very happy over that.
"One from Nagaland and two from Assam are there. We are immensely proud and we feel our three MPs will be able to contribute meaningfully in presenting India's case on the global platform," he said.
Later in a post on X, Sarma said: "I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring further into the details surrounding this visit and related associations."
At a different function, he alleged that Gogoi went there without informing the Government of India, and compared him with Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on espionage charges.
"What is espionage? If this is not espionage, then what is it? Once you return, oppose Rafale, ask questions in Parliament about the security layout in the coastal route, where India has kept its nuclear warheads. Who had written these questions for you? That is what you had learnt in the training programme," Sarma claimed.
"If I have stated a single lie, I will resign… I will not be in politics ever. I can even tell that I will not even enter my house if I have told a single lie. Should I say anything more? A CM never says casual things," he added.
Asked about Gogoi's charge that Sarma had visited Bangladesh, the CM said the neighbouring nation was a friendly country before the recent political turmoil.
"When Sheikh Hasina was there, Bangladesh was kind of part of India. We had friendly relations, not of enmity. Did I visit Bangladesh after Yunus became President? I went there with a government delegation.
"Are Bangladesh and Pakistan the same? Whom is he trying to fool? The Indian government has given shelter to Sheikh Hasina. Can we compare Hasina's Bangladesh with Pakistan?" Sarma said.