Debunking claims that he had alleged links with the Pakistani establishment, newly-appointed Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday said he had gone to Pakistan only once 12 years ago and that the Bharatiya Janata Party was raking up the issue like a 'C-grade Bollywood movie' that is going to 'flop miserably'.
Gogoi also asked why the BJP government at the Centre had not acted for the last 11 years if there was any wrongdoing and claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was making these allegations with the intention of creating doubts in the minds of the Congress leadership about his credentials but that had been decimated.
"Allegations are made and I would like to clarify that people of the state are not misled. About 14-15 years ago, my wife, who is a well-known expert in public policy, worked on an international project in South Asia focused on climate change. She spent one year in Pakistan before returning to India around 2012-13," Gogoi said at a press conference at the Congress' 24, Akbar Road office.
"Since then, she has continued her work and took a new job in 2015. I also remember going with her once in 2013. Their (the BJP's) job is defamation and by raking this issue they are creating this whole thing like a C-grade Bollywood movie which they have said would be released on September 10. But that is going to be a flop miserably," he said.
Gogoi said he would like to ask if there had been any wrongdoing on his wife or his part, then why the government had not acted in the last 11 years.
"What were the government and probe agencies doing," he asked.
Gogoi said the people of Assam have totally rejected the 'smear campaign' run by Sarma.
"This campaign was done to instill doubts in the mind of my seniors and leaders in the party. All doubt swere dispelled by the decision of the party (to appoint me state unit chief) and I am thankful to the CM for raising and elevating my profile in the state. I am also thankful to him for exposing his insecurity and fear in such a transparent manner," Gogoi said.
There is an environment of hooliganism, corruption and loot prevailing in Assam, he alleged and added that the people want freedom from this.
"We will change this environment and if they (the BJP) remain in power ,this environment will get a fillip," he added.
Debunking Sarma's allegations, Gogoi also raised questions on the mental condition of the Chief Minister.
Asked if he would file a defamation case against the chief minister, Gogoi said, "How many defamation cases should be filed against a party whose entire functioning depends on defamation? Defamation is in the blood of the BJP. They try to tarnish someone's image...Even Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has not been spared."
On whether he would be the Congress' face for the post of Chief Minister, Gogoi said that first the party's priority is to achieve majority and end the BJP's corrupt rule.
Assam Assembly elections are likely to be held in April-May next year.
Gogoi also said he read somewhere that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while referring to China, 'made light of the physical features of the people of China, especially with respect to the shape and size of their eyes'.
"Let me educate the honourable prime minister that when young men and women, boys and girls from the Northeast come to the different parts of India, they are often teased for the very same physical features. This kind of language only perpetuates the harassment and the language that are used to taunt and tease the people of the Northeast," Gogoi said.
"The prime minister should be sensitive on these matters because these matters have caused a lot of trauma to young people of the Northeast," he added.
Responding to Gogoi's remarks at the presser, Sarma posted on X, 'Finally, Congress MP Shri Gaurav Gogoi has admitted that he visited Pakistan. But let us be very clear - this is just the beginning, not the end. What lies ahead is far more serious. There exists every reasonable ground, supported by credible inputs and documented information, to suggest that Shri Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment.'
"The Government of Assam, committed to transparency and accountability, will make everything public on 10th September, once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concludes its comprehensive inquiry. The people of Assam and the nation deserve the truth - and they shall have it, in full," Sarma said.
But the people will also not forget - nor forgive -- the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi for deliberately promoting such a 'dangerous and compromised' individual into the public life of our country, he said.
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