Guwahati, May 21: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has criticized Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s comparison of his visit to Pakistan with that of BJP stalwarts like LK Advani, saying it’s like equating “apples with oranges”. Sarma emphasized that official visits are conducted with transparency and accompanied by a delegation of officials, which he claims was not the case with Gogoi’s visit.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “Jaswant Singh, Narendra Modi, Advani always informed the nation before visiting any country. Now, a Deputy LoP who raises questions in the Parliament, should at least know basic facts. For example, when the Pakistan PM visits India or vice versa, it is an official visit. When our PM travels abroad, he is accompanied by foreign affairs officials, security personnel and a full delegation, not alone. Every conversation from start to end is recorded and kept in official records. All this happens transparently and in broad daylight. But comparing such official visits to secret or personal ones is not justified. There is a big difference between going on national duty and going quietly without informing. Now he is justifying others’ visits to Pakistan. Does that mean he went too?…”
Sarma alleged that Gogoi’s visit to Pakistan was different from official visits, stating that Gogoi is trying to justify his actions by citing visits by other leaders. The Chief Minister reiterated that he will reveal evidence supporting his claims against Gogoi on September 10.
Gogoi has hit back at Sarma, stating that the Central Government was aware of his visit to Pakistan and that he had deposited a copy of his passport. Gogoi dared Sarma to set up two Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe the allegations.
The controversy surrounding Gogoi’s visit has sparked a political row, with both sides trading allegations and defending their positions. Sarma’s comments come amid allegations that Gogoi and his British wife, Elizabeth Colburn, have links to Pakistan’s ISI.
Sarma also compared Gogoi’s case to that of Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested recently on charges of spying for Pakistan, saying that Gogoi’s case is more serious. The controversy is likely to continue, with both sides engaging in a war of words and allegations.
