'C-grade Bollywood movie that'll flop miserably': Gaurav Gogoi on Assam CM's allegations

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.

New Delhi: Newly-appointed Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday attacked Chief Minister Himanta Biswas Sarma for his allegations of colluding with Pakistan, claiming that his rival is clutching to a “C-grade Bollywood film that is going to flop miserably” and that his plans to force the party leadership not to give him the new assignment has fallen flat.

Addressing a press conference for the first time after his appointment two days ago, Gogoi said what Assam needs is a “new model” that needs to end the “misrule, corruption, loot and fear perpetuated among people” and ensure the return of free speech to young people.

Rubbishing the allegations linking him and his family to Pakistan, he asked why there was no investigation against him “on such a national security issue” in the past 11-12 years when the BJP government was in power despite Sarma claiming that there is evidence. He said he had gone to Pakistan only once 11-12 years ago.

Gogoi said that his wife, a public policy expert, had worked on an international project on climate change and had worked in Pakistan for one year before returning to India in 2012-13.

“I also remember going with her once in 2013. That was 11-12 years ago. Sarma is saying he will release details on September 10. Is it a film?...The BJP’s job is defamation…They are creating this whole thing like a C-grade Bollywood movie…But that is going to be a flop miserably,” he said.

Gogoi claimed that Sarma’s intention was to create doubts about him in the minds of the Congress leadership but that had been decimated. “There was an impression in Assam that I am interested only in national politics…But with these nonsensical allegations, Sarma has elevated my stature,” he said.

Sarma posted on X that Gogoi has “finally” 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 Gogoi has maintained proximity with the Pakistani establishment,” he alleged.

Gogoi alleged that Sarma’s intention is to raise the issue as a cover-up to his “illegal” activities of his family, resulting in them amassing properties. “These allegations against me are meant to be a shield to hide his activities. He should concentrate on real issues,” he added.