NEW DELHI: Congress leader Pawan Khera posed a series of questions directed towards Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma demanding clarity on disclosures made in official affidavits.Khera also said that he will present more evidence in the coming days as the controversy intensifies ahead of the state assembly polls.Speaking to reporters, he further questioned why the Assam CM had allegedly concealed details of overseas properties linked to his wife in official disclosures.“Are they denying that they have no property in Dubai? Are they denying that they have no company in America? Are they denying that they have no shell companies anywhere in the world? We will give much more evidence every day. A lot is coming. Why has he concealed the Dubai properties owned by his wife from his election affidavit?” he said.The remarks come amid a political row that escalated into a war of words, with Himanta announcing legal action against the Congress leader.
Sarma rejects allegations, announces defamation case
Responding to the charges, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday dismissed all allegations as ‘malicious’ and ‘politically motivated’ and said that both he and his wife will initiate legal proceedings.In a post on X, he wrote: “I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam.”He further added: “My wife and I will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Shri Pawan Khera. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements.”Expressing confidence in the legal process, Sarma said: “I have complete faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in a court of law, Shri Pawan Khera will face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course.”
Khera’s allegations and demand for probe
During his press conference, Khera raised multiple allegations, including claims related to foreign properties, shell companies and passport holdings linked to the CM’s family.He questioned: “What is the need for Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife to hold 3 passports? Are you some kind of criminal? Does Himanta himself have more such passports somewhere? Is this preparation—for fleeing after losing the election?”He also alleged financial links to shell companies abroad, stating: “Himanta Biswa Sarma has kept his money in shell companies set up in Wyoming. Why Wyoming? Because there’s no tax here… It’s a well-known place where people’s properties are hidden away.”Calling for an investigation, Khera asked: “When will Amit Shah set up an SIT to investigate? When will CEC Gyanesh Kumar take cognizance of hiding information in the affidavit?”He further claimed: “Himanta’s wife Rinki Bhuyan Sarma has a company in Wyoming, USA. The member list of this company includes Rinki Bhuyan Sarma, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and their son.”The controversy erupted after Khera alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds multiple foreign passports and has business and property links abroad, including in Dubai and the United States.Sarma, however, rejected the claims and pointed to ‘serious discrepancies’ in the documents cited by Khera, suggesting possible fabrication or manipulation. He maintained that the allegations are part of a politically motivated campaign ahead of the Assam assembly elections.