The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colburn, of having links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gogoi dismissed the allegations as “laughable,” calling them a desperate attempt by the BJP to divert public attention.
BJP’s Allegations
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia raised the allegations, urging Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Gaurav Gogoi to clarify Colburn’s alleged connections. He also claimed that Colburn’s organization receives funding from billionaire investor George Soros.
“Some concerning facts related to national security have come to light. Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi, has links with Pakistan Planning Commission Advisor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and ISI,” Bhatia told PTI.
Bhatia further questioned whether Gogoi and his wife were involved in a scheme to weaken India. He referred to Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks about his fight with the “Indian State” and implied that this alleged connection could be part of a larger plan.
Himanta Biswa Sarma Joins the Attack
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also weighed in, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that the allegations of ISI links raised serious concerns.
“Serious questions need to be answered regarding allegations of ISI links, leading young individuals to the Pakistan embassy for brainwashing and radicalisation, and the refusal to take Indian citizenship for the past 12 years,” Sarma posted.
He further alleged that external funding, including from George Soros, was being used to destabilize India’s national security.
Gaurav Gogoi’s Response
Dismissing the allegations, Gogoi accused the BJP of resorting to baseless claims due to a lack of real issues to address.
“The BJP has no issue and resorts to these baseless allegations. They conducted the same smear campaign against me and my family before the Lok Sabha elections last year, and the people of Jorhat responded by electing me,” PTI quoted Gogoi as saying.
Taking a dig at Sarma, Gogoi alleged that reports of “land scams” involving the chief minister’s family had reached BJP leaders in Delhi.
“Fearing that he might lose his chair, he is trying to divert attention by launching a smear campaign against me and my family,” Gogoi stated.
With the Assam assembly elections still a year away, Gogoi suggested that the BJP was on shaky ground, leading them to fabricate allegations.
Political Fallout
The controversy has intensified political tensions in Assam, with both BJP and Congress engaging in sharp exchanges. While the BJP continues to press for answers regarding Colburn’s alleged links, the Congress sees the allegations as an attempt to shift focus from pressing governance issues.
Sources By Agencies
