Pawan Khera claims Himanta Sarma's wife holds 3 passports, Assam CM to sue him

Weeks before the Assam Assembly elections, Congress demanded a probe into Riniki Sarma's nationality, multiple passports, and the CM's election affidavit. Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed the claims as a 'propaganda campaign' aimed at undermining the BJP ahead of the polls.

In Short

• Congress alleges Riniki Sarma holds passports from UAE, Egypt, Antigua and Barbuda
• Claims include undisclosed overseas assets worth USD 34.67 billion
• Assam CM calls accusations baseless and politically driven

A political controversy erupted in Assam on Sunday after the Congress accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Sarma, of holding passports from three countries and owning significant assets overseas. Shortly after, the Assam Chief Minister hit out, dismissing these allegations as unfounded and politically driven.

"Today’s press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground," Sarma wrote on X.

Terming Khera’s allegations ‘malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated,’ Sarma said that both he and his wife would file criminal and civil defamation suits against Pawan Khera within 48 hours, asserting that Khera would be held accountable for his statements.

At a press briefing earlier today, Khera presented documents he claimed were obtained from associates abroad. Khera stated that Riniki Sarma holds valid passports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda.

He further alleged that she owns properties in Dubai and a company registered in Wyoming, United States, with a budget of USD 34.67 billion, including plans to enter the hotel industry.

Khera further questioned the Chief Minister's adherence to Indian electoral laws, highlighting that these assets were not disclosed in Sarma's election affidavit.

He asked whether Riniki Sarma holds Indian citizenship and a passport, emphasising that India does not permit dual citizenship.

The Congress leader called for the arrest and disqualification of Himanta Biswa Sarma from the forthcoming Assembly elections. He alleged that the undisclosed international assets suggest corruption and possible attempts to relocate abroad should the election results be unfavourable.

Khera requested intervention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the claims.

HIMANTA SARMA VOWS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST KHERA

In response, the Assam Chief Minister accused Congress of conducting a “desperate and baseless” campaign to mislead Assam's citizens. On X, he pointed out alleged inconsistencies in the documents shared by Congress, citing digital tampering and glaring errors in the passports and related identification papers.

Sarma highlighted discrepancies such as surname mismatches, publicly available images presented as biometric photographs, and irregularities in the UAE, Egyptian, and Antigua and Barbuda passports.

He noted that the UAE ID showed a nationality discrepancy, the Egyptian passport contained spelling mistakes and incorrect references, and the Antigua and Barbuda passport had conflicting expiry dates. Additionally, a QR code on a title deed was described as invalid and not linked to authentic records.

“Truth will prevail. Those spreading misinformation will be held accountable. I am confident that Pawan Khera’s campaign of falsehood is nearing its end. Eventually, Mr. Khera will go to jail,” Sarma stated, firmly rejecting the accusations.

- Ends