Gaurav Gogoi’s ‘Pakistan links’ being probed: Himanta
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said an investigation is being conducted into Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan links for the “sake of national security”, and any likely impact on politics is “secondary”. He claimed that two persons - a Pakistani national and a British citizen - have “central roles” in this entire matter, though he did not name either of them.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a government programme here, Sarma said, “The State Cabinet will discuss the SIT report today and decide on the future course of action. One Pakistani citizen and one British citizen are related and have central roles. The British person is the wife of an MP.” He maintained that the probe is “not about politics” and said, “This investigation is for the sake of national security.
Its impact on politics is secondary.” The Assam CM and the BJP have been attacking Gogoi, who also heads the State Congress, over his wife’s alleged connection with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI. The State Government had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a case of alleged interference of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who was claimed to have links with Gogoi’s British wife Elizabeth Colburn, in India’s internal affairs.
The SIT submitted its report to Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio, on September 10, the date which was initially set by the chief minister for providing evidence to back his accusations against Gogoi. After several delays, Sarma has now said that the findings of the SIT report will be made public on February 8 after discussion in the Cabinet.
The Chief Minister maintained the probe will “go much further when it reaches the Centre”. “We have limitations in our probe. Yet, within these limits, what we have gathered is very important. When it reaches the NIA or IB or CBI, they will take it ahead,” he said. “What we have done is just 10 per cent, 90 per cent is yet to be found out,” Sarma asserted.
Sarma claimed that Gogoi gave out incorrect information to defend himself in front of local TV channels when the allegations of his Pakistan links were first brought up. “Whether the TV channels will now play his old Statements and expose him, it is upon the media houses,” the chief minister added.
Hitting back, Gogoi had slammed Sarma over his accusation and said the CM’s remarks were “ridiculous, baseless, insane and nonsense” and that he was behaving like an “IT cell troll” without talking with facts.
