Assam Election 2026: Sarma to Sue Pawan Khera Over Passport Claims

GUWAHATI — The political climate in Assam has reached a boiling point just days before the April 9 Assembly elections. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, have announced their intention to file criminal and civil defamation suits against Congress leader Pawan Khera following explosive allegations regarding foreign citizenship and offshore assets.

Congress Alleges Triple Passports and Secret Assets

In a high-stakes press conference held in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera produced documents alleging that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma holds valid passports from three different nations, specifically the UAE, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda. Under Indian law, dual citizenship is strictly prohibited, and Khera characterized these alleged documents as evidence of a grave and criminal offense.

The allegations extended beyond travel documents to include claims of a secret business empire. Khera alleged the existence of a company registered in Wyoming, USA, and undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai. He argued that these assets were omitted from the Chief Minister’s official election affidavit, leading to a formal demand for Sarma’s immediate disqualification and arrest.

Chief Minister Slams ‘Digital Manipulation’

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma swiftly countered the claims, describing the evidence as malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies. Sarma highlighted several technical flaws in the documents presented by Congress, noting glaring spelling errors and surname mismatches that would not appear on official government documents.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that the images used in the alleged passports appeared to be publicly available profile pictures rather than the biometric-grade photographs required for valid travel documents. He characterized the move as a crude and poorly executed attempt at digital manipulation designed to mislead voters in the final stretch of the 2026 campaign.

Legal Confrontation Within 48 Hours

The battle is now shifting from the political stage to the judiciary as Sarma confirmed his legal team is preparing to file defamation suits within 48 hours. In a show of transparency, the Chief Minister stated he is willing to place both his and his wife’s original passports in the public domain if required by the people of Assam to prove their authenticity.

Also Read: Assam CM Ignites Controversy with ‘Pakistan-Link’ Allegations Against Congress

Sarma expressed complete faith in the judiciary and emphasized that the legal move is necessary to hold those spreading misinformation accountable. Riniki Bhuyan Sarma also joined the rebuttal, mocking the quality of the “evidence” and accusing the Congress party of failing at basic AI generation and photo editing.

High Stakes for the April 9 Polls

With the election just days away, this controversy has become the focal point of the state’s political discourse. While Congress leaders like Gaurav Gogoi have doubled down on demands for an investigation into foreign fund transfers, the BJP has portrayed the allegations as a sign of opposition desperation.

As voters prepare to head to the polls on April 9, the outcome of this legal and political face-off is expected to weigh heavily on the final electoral mandate. Both parties are now locked in a race to control the narrative before the silence period begins.

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