
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has dismissed Congress allegations as fabricated, alleging Pawan Khera utilized fake passports supplied by a Pakistani group to influence the election.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday vehemently denied allegations made by Congress leaders, labeling them as entirely false and fabricated. Sarma claimed the recent press conference held by Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi was based on material supplied by a 'Pakistani social media group' rather than genuine facts. He asserted that both he and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Khera regarding the use of fraudulent documents in the political discourse.
The controversy erupted after Khera alleged that the CM's wife holds multiple active passports, including those from the UAE and another Muslim country, which could violate Indian dual citizenship laws. Khera questioned the CM's financial disclosures and demanded an investigation into potential offshore assets. In response, Sarma dismissed these claims as a politically motivated campaign ahead of the Assam assembly elections. He stated that the original UAE passport seen on social media was uploaded by a Pakistani man named Tipu Sultan, and the version used by Congress was manipulated using AI Photoshop. Sarma emphasized that the Egyptian passport is also fake and can be verified through Google Reverse image searches.
The CM detailed the alleged manipulation of evidence, noting that Congress leaders held two separate press conferences in Delhi and Guwahati. Sarma claimed their research found the entire material sourced externally from Pakistan-linked channels. He highlighted that in the last 10 days, a Pakistan channel has broadcast at least 11 election-related shows favoring Congress, a phenomenon not seen before. Sarma warned that using such fraudulent documents to influence public opinion attracts severe legal consequences under sections 420 and 468 of the IPC, with higher penalties including life imprisonment if used to influence election outcomes.
Sarma confirmed that his wife filed an FIR the previous day, and he expressed confidence that the police would register the case under appropriate legal sections. He pointed out that the Assam Police have already initiated an inquiry into the matter. Official confirmation from a Dubai government website and the Indian government has verified that the Dubai passport mentioned in the allegations is fake. The CM noted that while the passport is fraudulent, the photograph used in one of the other alleged passports does not match his wife's likeness.
Reports on two other passports linked to his wife are expected by Monday or Tuesday from the respective governments. Sarma highlighted technical inconsistencies across all alleged documents as evidence of fabrication. He presented a detailed presentation suggesting that the documents were easily procured, alleging that anyone can register a company for USD 199. This technical scrutiny forms the basis of his defense against what he describes as a coordinated disinformation campaign.
On the opposing side, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi continued to question the CM's stance. Gogoi posted on X regarding the Dubai Golden visa, defining it as a long-term residence visa for investors, implying the validity of the residency claim. Khera had previously attacked the CM's political character, linking his wife's passport issues to his stance on Muslims and questioning the Home Minister's awareness of the situation. He demanded answers regarding concealed properties in Dubai and shell companies in America, promising to release more evidence daily. Sarma has maintained that these allegations are baseless and has announced criminal and civil defamation cases against Khera.
The political fallout from the passport row is expected to intensify as the election period progresses. Sarma's insistence on the foreign origin of the evidence suggests a broader strategy to discredit the opposition's narrative by associating it with external hostile actors. The involvement of law enforcement and the initiation of legal proceedings indicate that this dispute is moving beyond political rhetoric into the courtroom. If the verification processes confirm the widespread use of forged documents and AI manipulation, it could lead to severe penalties for those involved in the fabrication and dissemination of such material. The ongoing investigation will likely focus on tracing the digital footprint of the documents and verifying the identity of the Pakistani social media group alleged to be the source. As legal battles ensue, the public will await the findings of the Assam Police and the subsequent judicial review of the fabricated evidence.
This confrontation marks a significant escalation in the political war, with the CM leveraging legal mechanisms to counter the opposition's narrative. The confirmation of fake documents by foreign governments strengthens the CM's position, potentially damaging the credibility of the Congress party's allegations. As the legal processes unfold, the election landscape may shift based on how the courts and the public perceive the authenticity of the claims. The involvement of foreign-linked entities in domestic political disputes could set a new precedent for election ethics and the use of digital forensics in political campaigns. The next few weeks will be critical in determining the long-term impact of these allegations on voter sentiment and the eventual election results.
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