Congress MP details wife Elizabeth’s official work trip, says Centre knew about visit; later accuses CM of dragging minors into politics and using ‘distraction tactics
Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Monday strongly rejected Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s allegations linking him and his wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, to Pakistan, asserting that his visit to the country was fully lawful, transparent and known to the Central government.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, Gogoi gave a detailed account of his 10-day visit, saying there was “nothing secretive” about the trip.
He explained that his wife had worked in Pakistan in 2012 for nearly a year under an international climate change programme funded by British and Netherlands agencies. “For her official assignment, she had to stay there. As her husband, I accompanied her. We were newly married. Why shouldn’t I go?” he said. The couple visited Lahore and Taxila after taking necessary permissions, he added.
Gogoi said that after becoming an MP in 2014, he submitted his passport, which carried Pakistan visa stamps, to the Modi government. He later received a diplomatic passport. “This clearly shows the Government of India was fully aware of my visit. If there was anything wrong, would they have issued me a diplomatic passport?” he asked.
He also clarified that his wife closed all Pakistan-related bank accounts after returning to India and maintained that the allegations were politically motivated attempts to malign his family.
After addressing the Pakistan issue, Gogoi sharply criticised the Chief Minister for allegedly dragging his minor children into the political dispute.
Calling the move “unacceptable” and “deeply disturbing,” he said political battles must remain between leaders and never involve families. He alleged that details of his five- and nine-year-old children had been made public, lowering the standards of political discourse in Assam.
“I am ready to face any attack on me personally. But don’t force me into a situation where I have to respond,” he warned, adding that he would pursue the matter legally under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. In a pointed remark, Gogoi added, “We also know about his children. But we will not disclose such information,” saying personal boundaries must be respected.
The Congress leader further accused the Chief Minister of using controversy to divert attention from governance issues. Questioning the Special Investigation Team(SIT) report, Gogoi asked why it was withheld for six months if the matter concerned national security.
Moreover, claiming that his press conference was not a political theatre, Gogoi said his focus remained on accountability, public welfare and protecting the dignity of Assam.
With both sides trading sharp accusations, the political standoff between the BJP and the Congress continues to intensify.
Also Read: “Super Flop and Mindless” Gaurav Gogoi Hits Back at Himanta Over Pakistan Allegations
