Gogoi clarifies alleged 'Pak links'; slams Assam CM over coal syndicate

Guwahati: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi addressed concerns about his alleged links to Pakistan, dismissing the claims as baseless. He also sharply criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, citing recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids as evidence of illegal coal mining in the state.

During his first media interaction in Delhi since becoming the Assam Congress chief, Gogoi highlighted the April 24 raids across Assam and Meghalaya, where the ED reportedly uncovered a coal smuggling network, seizing Rs 1.58 crore in cash, digital devices, and two luxury vehicles.

“This revelation proves the Assam CM wrong,” Gogoi said, asserting that the ED’s findings confirm the existence of an illegal coal syndicate operating across state borders.

He questioned the scope of the investigation, asking, “Will this probe stop at just Rs 1.58 crore? Why has no action been taken by the state and central governments? This syndicate is putting immense pressure on the economy, ecology, and society of the Northeast.”

Gogoi demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, alleging political protection behind the illicit operations.

“Such a syndicate could not have functioned without political shielding from both state and central authorities,” he claimed.

Amid the political storm, Gogoi also tackled controversy surrounding his 2013 visit to Pakistan and his wife’s professional background.

Seeking to dispel speculation and social media narratives about his family’s associations, he clarified that his wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, worked with an international NGO and was stationed in Pakistan for a year in 2011 as part of her official duties.

He said, “I visited Pakistan only once, in 2013, in full compliance with the Government of India’s rules and regulations.”

“My personal and professional life has always been transparent and aligned with the national interest,” Gogoi said.

This marks the first time Gogoi has publicly addressed these issues, which have gained traction in recent days.

He stressed the importance of fact-based political discourse, urging opponents to focus on substantive matters rather than personal attacks.

Responding to questions about his family's citizenship, Gogoi confirmed that his wife and two children hold British citizenship. He explained, “My wife’s citizenship is a personal decision. My second child was born in the UK. We faced many challenges while living in England during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led us to convert our first child’s citizenship to British.”

Calling for privacy and understanding, Gogoi urged the public to respect the personal choices of political figures, particularly when made under extraordinary global circumstances.

On Monday, the Congress high command appointed Gogoi as the new president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). A three-time Lok Sabha MP, he aims to strengthen his party’s position in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

(inputs from IANS)