The controversy surrounding Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, and his wife, Elizabeth Gogoi, has intensified following allegations made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding Mrs. Gogoi’s potential links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The Assam Cabinet has directed the state police to investigate these claims, particularly focusing on Elizabeth’s previous professional associations with Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, a Pakistani national and climate policy expert. Sarma has raised concerns about Elizabeth’s foreign citizenship and her alleged involvement in Indian electoral processes, suggesting that her actions may violate visa regulations. The Chief Minister has also pointed to a meeting Gaurav Gogoi had with the Pakistani High Commissioner in 2015, questioning the implications of such interactions on national security.
In response, Gaurav Gogoi has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, asserting that they are part of a smear campaign by the BJP to distract from governance failures. He has indicated plans to pursue legal action against the BJP for these claims and the situation has sparked a broader political debate, with both parties exchanging accusations and calling for investigations into each other’s affiliations and actions.
As the Assam government moves forward with its inquiry, the implications of these allegations on the political landscape in Assam, particularly with the upcoming elections, remain to be seen.
Jargon
- ISI: Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, often associated with espionage and covert operations.
- CDKN: Climate and Development Knowledge Network, an organisation focused on climate change and development issues, operating in both India and Pakistan.
- LEAD Pakistan: A non-profit organization working on climate change initiatives in Pakistan, co-founded by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.
Viewpoints 💭
- Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, Elizabeth, are being targeted by the BJP as part of a politically motivated smear campaign to distract from governance failures in Assam.
- The allegations against Elizabeth Gogoi are seen as an attempt by the BJP to undermine the Congress party’s growing popularity in Assam ahead of the 2026 elections.
- Gaurav Gogoi has dismissed the allegations as baseless and plans to pursue legal action against the BJP for defamation.
- The left views the probe as an overreach by the Assam government, using national security as a pretext to attack political opponents.
- The left criticises the BJP for using personal attacks and unsubstantiated claims to divert attention from their own governance failures.
- The left views the allegations against Gaurav Gogoi and his wife as a politically motivated attack by the BJP to undermine the Congress party’s electoral prospects, while the right frames the issue as a matter of national security requiring urgent investigation.
- While the left criticises the BJP for using unsubstantiated claims to divert attention from governance issues, the right insists that the investigation is necessary to address potential ISI infiltration and protect India’s interests.
- The left perceives the probe as an overreach by the Assam government, using national security as a pretext to attack political opponents, whereas the right argues that Elizabeth Gogoi’s foreign citizenship and professional associations with Pakistani nationals warrant a thorough investigation.
- The left dismisses the allegations as baseless and plans to pursue legal action against the BJP for defamation, while the right questions Gaurav Gogoi’s past interactions with the Pakistani High Commissioner and his parliamentary inquiries into sensitive defence matters.
- The left criticises the BJP for using personal attacks and unsubstantiated claims, while the right maintains that the investigation is not politically motivated but necessary to address potential threats to national security.
- The BJP, led by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has raised serious national security concerns regarding Elizabeth Gogoi’s alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI.
- The right argues that Elizabeth’s foreign citizenship and her professional associations with Pakistani nationals warrant a thorough investigation to protect India’s interests.
- The BJP emphasises the need for a Special Investigation Team to probe potential ISI infiltration and foreign influence in Assam’s political landscape.
- The right questions Gaurav Gogoi’s past interactions with the Pakistani High Commissioner and his parliamentary inquiries into sensitive defense matters.
- The BJP maintains that the investigation is not politically motivated but necessary to address potential threats to national security.
Prominent Voices 📣
- Gaurav Gogoi (Indian National Congress Leader and Member of Parliament): Has consistently dismissed the allegations against him and his wife as politically motivated, accusing the BJP of using these claims to divert attention from governance failures and expressing his intention to pursue legal action.
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- Akhil Gogoi (Raijor Dal President and Sivasagar MLA): Called for a CBI investigation into the allegations against both Gaurav Gogoi and Himanta Biswa Sarma, advocating for opposition unity to counter the BJP’s influence in Assam.
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- Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam Chief Minister): Emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged ISI links of Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, citing national security concerns and questioning her foreign connections and citizenship status.
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- Tarun Chugh (BJP leader): Criticized the Congress leadership for not addressing the allegations against Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, questioning Gogoi’s knowledge and actions regarding her alleged connections.
- Gaurav Bhatia (BJP Spokesperson): Alleged that Elizabeth Colburn had connections with the ISI during her time in Islamabad.
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