ISI agent? Laughable, says Gogoi, accusing BJP of smear campaign over Wife's alleged Pakistan ties

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi refutes BJP allegations that his wife has ties to Pakistan's ISI, calling the claims a diversion from real issues. Accusations fly as the BJP alleges Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife has links to Pakistan's ISI, sparking a heated political battle and prompting Gogoi to vehemently deny the claims and accuse the BJP of a smear campaign.

BJP Accusations and Gogoi's Rebuttal

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Elizabeth Colburn, wife of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, of having links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed that Colburn had ties with Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an advisor to the Pakistan Planning Commission, while working with the Climate and Knowledge Development Network (CDKN) in Islamabad. Gogoi has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them "laughable" and a diversionary tactic by the BJP. He sarcastically remarked that if his wife is an ISI agent, then he must be an agent of India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

Sarma's Veiled Attacks and Gogoi's Defense

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also joined the fray, making veiled attacks against Gogoi and his wife, questioning her British citizenship and past associations. Sarma suggested that Gogoi's parliamentary questions shifted to sensitive defense matters after his marriage and a visit to Pakistan in 2015. Gogoi has countered these claims, accusing Sarma of trying to divert attention from land-grabbing allegations against his family. He stated that the BJP is on shaky ground ahead of the upcoming Assam assembly elections and is resorting to these tactics to regain lost ground.

Fresh Claims and Counter-Accusations

Sarma further alleged that after visiting Pakistan in 2015, Gogoi's focus shifted to sensitive defense matters. He also claimed that Gogoi's wife worked with an American senator known for close ties with the Pakistani establishment before their marriage. Gogoi has dismissed these allegations as baseless and reiterated his commitment to raising issues of public concern, such as unemployment and inflation, while also addressing the ongoing unrest in Manipur. He asserted that the people of India are politically active and aware of the BJP's alleged lies and confusion.

National Security Concerns and Political Smear Campaigns

The BJP has framed the issue as a matter of national security, demanding that Gogoi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge clarify Colburn's relationship with Pakistan and the ISI12. Gogoi, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of resorting to a smear campaign against him and his family, similar to what they allegedly did before the Lok Sabha polls last year4. He believes that the BJP is making these allegations because they have no real issues to raise and are losing ground in Assam.