GUWAHATI, Feb 12: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday took an indirect dig at Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi over the latter’s wife retaining foreign citizenship for the last 12 years after getting married and her alleged links with Pakistan’s ISI saying that “questions must be answered”.
“Serious questions need to be answered regarding allegations of ISI links, leading young individuals to the Pakistan Embassy for brainwashing and radicalization, and the refusal to take Indian citizenship for the past 12 years. Additionally, participation in a conversion cartel and receiving funds from external sources, including George Soros, to destabilize national security are grave concerns that cannot be ignored,” Assam CM Dr Sarma wrote on ‘X’.
“At some point, accountability will be necessary. Simply deflecting responsibility or attempting to shift the focus onto others will not serve as an easy escape route. The nation deserves transparency and truth,” he further wrote.
Himanta Biswa Sarma also questioned why a lawmaker’s wife was allowed to retain her foreign citizenship for such a long time while there is a different rule for officers.
“During my interactions with an IFS officer in Singapore, I learned that officers in the Indian Foreign Service cannot marry a foreign national without prior permission from the Government of India. Moreover, even when permission is granted, it comes with the condition that the spouse must acquire Indian citizenship within six months. Interestingly, this rule does not apply to our lawmakers. However, allowing a foreign spouse of a lawmaker to retain foreign citizenship for 12 years is far too long. Loyalty to the nation must always take precedence over all other considerations,” he also wrote on ‘X’.
The issue has now snowballed into a massive controversy with the BJP claiming that the alleged ISI links of Gaurav Gogoi’s wife Elizabeth Colburn is a threat to national security and that Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Gaurav Gogoi should clarify her relations with Pakistan and ISI.
“Some concerning facts related to national security have come to light. Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi… her links with Pakistan Planning Commission Advisor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and the ISI, have been found. This is extremely concerning and related to national security, so it is expected that Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Gaurav Gogoi will clarify her relations with Pakistan and ISI. The question arising here is that while his wife is a foreign citizen, the organisation she works for is funded by George Soros. Few days ago, when Rahul Gandhi said that his fight is with the Indian State, are Gaurav Gogoi and wife are to working with Pakistan and ISI to carry forward that plan and weaken India?” BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told news agency PTI.
