Involves national security: Assam sends Gaurav Gogoi's 'Pak links' case to Centre
India Today
Assam referring Pak link charges against Gaurav Gogoi to Union Home Ministry marks a sharp escalation in political confrontation between the ruling BJP and Congress ahead of assembly elections.
The Assam Cabinet has decided to refer the case concerning Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged links with Pakistan to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday following a Cabinet meeting.
Addressing a press briefing, Sarma said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to probe what he termed an “anti-India conspiracy” had submitted its report, and that the Cabinet had concluded the matter had national security implications.
“The Assam government had constituted an SIT to inquire into the alleged anti-India conspiracy of Ali Tauqeer Sheikh in connivance with a British citizen and an MP. Keeping in mind the seriousness of the matter, it was decided to hand it over to the MHA,” Sarma said.
The decision marks a significant escalation in Sarma’s attack on Gogoi, turning it into a major political flashpoint months ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. Sarma has alleged that the Congress has links to Pakistan, claiming that Gogoi’s wife previously worked with an NGO purportedly connected to Pakistani interests and that the MP had visited Pakistan in the past, which, according to him, raises concerns over national security.
“If an MP from Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, has any connection with Pakistan, then it is highly unfortunate. I am here to raise this before you. I was informed that Gaurav Gogoi had taken a delegation to the office of the Pakistan High Commission. He met the then Pakistan High Commissioner, Abdul Basit. I do not recall any leader taking a delegation along to meet the Pakistan High Commissioner,” he said.
Sarma added that the SIT report and the FIR registered in the case would be forwarded to the Centre. "We haven't questioned sitting MP Gaurav Gogoi about Pak links. Left it to the Centre, showing respect to his position. If harsh steps like arresting Gaurav Gogoi are taken now, I will be accused of doing politics before the Assam assembly elections," he added.
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