Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned the Congress that if the allegations of ‘land grabbing’ levelled against him are not proven in court, the party will have to pay Rs 500 crore.
The Chief Minister issued the warning to Congress leaders, stating that in response to the allegations made by leaders of the party, they must submit in court a list of his alleged 12,000 bigha of land. He said that failure to do so would result in a liability of Rs 500 crore.
Sarma issued the warning following the filing of a defamation suit. He said that the allegations made against him by Congress leaders are false and misleading. He stated that he would take all legal steps necessary to protect his rights over his land.
Allegations Against Gaurav Gogoi
Speaking to the media in Bongaigaon, Himanta Biswa Sarma levelled allegations against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi. He said that Gogoi visited Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2013 and did so without a visa. Sarma claimed that on this basis, Gogoi was a ‘state guest’ in Pakistan.
The Chief Minister said that Gogoi’s statement and video clip are sufficient to be presented in court. He stated that Gogoi had himself admitted to visiting Pakistan without a visa, which, according to Sarma, exposes the veracity of the allegations made against him.
Gogoi’s Response
Earlier, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi had clarified at a press conference that his visit to Taxila, Pakistan, in December 2013 with his wife was entirely lawful and related to professional work. He said that his wife, Elizabeth Colburn, had been posted in Islamabad before moving to New Delhi in 2012.
Gogoi stated that the visit was connected to the professional work of both him and his wife and that they had obtained the necessary permissions for the trip. He also said that Chief Minister Sarma was getting entangled in his own falsehoods and that his statements were detached from reality.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute began after Congress leaders alleged that the Chief Minister had illegally grabbed land. In response to the allegation, Sarma filed a defamation case.
The Chief Minister stated that by presenting the complete list of his land holdings in court, the Congress would have to substantiate its allegations. He said that if the party fails to prove the charges, it would be required to pay Rs 500 crore.
On the issue of the Rawalpindi visit, Sarma said that Gogoi had admitted to visiting Pakistan without a visa. He stated that during the visit, Gogoi may have come into contact with the Pakistan Army or police, which, according to him, indicates that he was a state guest.
Sarma said that the statement could be presented in court and that it confirms his allegations. He claimed that Gogoi’s statement would bring out the reality of the allegations made by the Congress.
