Guwahati, April 6, 2026 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Congress on Monday of preparing to distance itself from party leader Pawan Khera as a controversy over allegedly fabricated documents intensifies ahead of the Assembly polls. Speaking at Vajpayee Bhawan, Sarma said the opposition may soon try to shift blame internally to avoid accountability.
Sarma outlined two possible narratives he believes the Congress might promote: either Khera is being sidelined and was handed the documents by others, or someone else presented the materials as genuine without proper verification. “In both cases, it is clear they will try to escape accountability,” he said.
Emphasising potential legal consequences, Sarma warned that using fraudulent documents during an election could lead to severe penal action. “When fraudulent documents are used during elections, it goes beyond defamation and becomes a criminal offence linked to the electoral process. What he has done amounts to life sentence,” he stated, adding that the matter “will reach its logical conclusion under the law. Accountability will be fixed.”
The chief minister’s remarks responded to recent press briefings by Pawan Khera and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in Delhi and Guwahati, where they alleged that Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, held multiple passports and owned assets in Dubai and the United States. Sarma dismissed those claims as based on “false facts, fabricated documents and a malafide intention to vitiate the electoral atmosphere,” and said the acts amounted to a criminal attempt to influence election results.
Sarma also alleged the documents cited by Congress leaders originated from a Pakistan-based social media group, raising concerns of external interference. “In the last few days, Pakistan-based channels have conducted multiple discussions on Assam elections, all concluding that Congress should win. This clearly indicates an attempt to influence the outcome,” he said, calling the issue a matter of “grave concern” when such acts are allegedly aided from across the border.
The chief minister questioned the credibility of the materials presented, citing inconsistencies in naming patterns and supporting details, and claimed attempts had been made to morph telephonic conversations to construct a narrative. An FIR has been filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma in connection with the matter; Sarma expressed confidence that law enforcement agencies would act and said, “The law will take the strictest possible step. Whether action happens before elections or later is for the police to decide.”
Despite the escalating row, Sarma insisted the controversy would not sway voters, asserting that such tactics had strengthened his camp’s position and that the NDA’s projected tally had increased.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/passport-row-assam-cm-says-congress-may-disown-khera-amid-political-storm-1610273
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Publish Date: 2026-04-06 12:43:00
