logo
Mudslinging by BJP: Gaurav Gogoi on Himanta Sarma's ISI links' claims on his wife

Mudslinging by BJP: Gaurav Gogoi on Himanta Sarma's ISI links' claims on his wife

India Today2 days ago
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has rubbished allegations and claims that his wife, Elizabeth Colburn, has links with Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, saying the BJP has a habit of defaming people and mud-slinging and accused the party of running a "smear campaign".
In an exclusive conversation with India Today's Preeti Choudhry on Unpolitics, Gogoi said that defaming people and levelling allegations of being anti-national against them is the BJP's bread and butter. He said that if there was any truth about this, it would have been uncovered by now.
Days after India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistani terror infrastructure and the subsequent military conflict between the two countries, BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Gogois of alleged ISI-links, saying they visited the neighbouring country on the invitation of its intel agency.
Gogoi had denied the allegations earlier as well and said that his wife had spent some time in Pakistan while working on an international project on climate change, and he had gone with her once in 2013.
During the conversation, Gogoi also shed light on his political journey so far, his personal life, his likes and dislikes, among a range of topics. Watch the full interview here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BJP slams Chidambaram over ‘homegrown terrorists' remark on Pahalgam attack
BJP slams Chidambaram over ‘homegrown terrorists' remark on Pahalgam attack

Hans India

time23 minutes ago

  • Hans India

BJP slams Chidambaram over ‘homegrown terrorists' remark on Pahalgam attack

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's remark suggesting that the terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack may have been "homegrown" rather than from Pakistan has sparked intense political backlash, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress of shielding terror sponsors and disrespecting national security concerns. Union Minister Anurag Thakur reacted sharply, stating: 'It is clearly visible that whenever India faced a terrorist attack, Congress never spoke against Pakistan. Take the 26/11 attack, for example, Congress did nothing and failed to give a strong response.' BJP MP CP Joshi questioned the Congress party's past actions saying, 'Before 2014, the country witnessed several terrorist attacks. Did you ever try to eliminate those terrorists or the masterminds behind the camps?' Chidambaram questioned government's immediate attribution of the attack to Pakistan, saying, 'What if they were homegrown terrorists? Why have you assumed they came from Pakistan? Where is the evidence? Has the NIA identified them? Where did they come from? Has the NIA revealed anything? Perhaps the terrorists were created here. The government is also hiding the extent of damage India suffered.' BJP MP Arun Govil, best known for portraying Lord Ram on screen, added: 'There can be no bigger lie in this world than what Chidambaram has said.' Former Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Raj Purohit took it a step further: 'If they weren't Pakistanis, maybe they were Congressmen. Chidambaram has been the Home and Finance Minister, he knows things common people don't.' Even the Opposition appeared to distance itself from the remark. NCP (SP faction) leader Amar Sharadrao Kale said, 'I haven't heard the full statement, but the entire world knows who is behind these attacks. Pakistan's role is clear. We must respond in their own language.' Chidambaram's comments come ahead of a crucial Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack.

Congress MP Maintains Strategic Silence Amid Parliamentary Debate On Military Operation
Congress MP Maintains Strategic Silence Amid Parliamentary Debate On Military Operation

Hans India

time23 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Congress MP Maintains Strategic Silence Amid Parliamentary Debate On Military Operation

Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor employed deliberate silence as his response strategy Monday, repeatedly invoking "maun vrat" (vow of silence) when journalists questioned his participation in the forthcoming Operation Sindoor parliamentary discussion. His cryptic response upon arriving at Parliament has intensified speculation regarding his position on the contentious military operation. The Thiruvananthapuram representative's calculated avoidance of media queries occurred as political circles eagerly anticipated the opposition party's approach during the crucial debate. Rather than providing substantive commentary, Tharoor consistently referenced the concept of voluntary silence, effectively sidestepping all inquiries about his involvement in the proceedings. Internal party sources have indicated that Tharoor will likely abstain from the parliamentary discussion entirely. According to established procedures, members of Parliament must formally submit speaking requests to the Congress Parliamentary Party office, a step Tharoor has reportedly not undertaken. Party insiders suggest this omission reflects his reluctance to participate in the debate framework. The situation has deeper roots in Tharoor's ideological divergence from his party's official position. Sources within the party hierarchy revealed that both the Leader of Opposition's office and the deputy leadership approached Tharoor to contribute to the Operation Sindoor discussion. However, he declined these overtures, explicitly stating his inability to align with the party's critical assessment of the government's military response. Tharoor reportedly maintained his consistent position that Operation Sindoor represented a successful governmental action, expressing his intention to continue supporting this evaluation regardless of party expectations. He allegedly informed party leadership that any public statements would remain consistent with his previously articulated views on the matter. When party officials clarified expectations that speakers must adhere to the Congress party's critical stance toward the government, Tharoor chose complete withdrawal from the debate rather than compromise his stated principles. He characterized this decision as maintaining ideological integrity despite organizational pressure. The Congress party has finalized its speaker lineup with Gaurav Gogoi designated to initiate Monday's discussion, followed by contributions from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deependra Hooda, Praneeti Shinde, Saptagiri Ulaka, and Bijendra Ola. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to deliver his remarks during Tuesday's session. Tharoor's conspicuous absence from the speaker roster reflects his increasingly strained relationship with party leadership over recent months. The tension stems from his participation in a government-organized international delegation addressing the India-Pakistan conflict, an action perceived as contradicting established Congress positions. His public endorsement of governmental policies and support for the temporary cessation of hostilities created significant friction with party colleagues who maintain critical perspectives toward the administration's approach. This ideological disagreement has positioned Tharoor at odds with mainstream party sentiment. The parliamentary discussion represents the culmination of negotiations between government and opposition parties, resulting in an agreed 16-hour debate format spanning both legislative chambers. The focus centers on governmental responses to the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident, which resulted in 26 civilian fatalities and numerous injuries. Opposition leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi and allied party leaders, has consistently challenged the administration over alleged intelligence deficiencies surrounding the attack. They have also questioned claims by US President Donald Trump regarding American mediation efforts between India and Pakistan, assertions that the Indian government has categorically rejected. The broader political context encompasses ongoing tensions regarding national security policies, diplomatic strategies, and the appropriate governmental response to cross-border terrorism. Tharoor's position represents a significant departure from traditional opposition unity, highlighting internal disagreements within the Congress party regarding foreign policy and security matters. This development underscores the complex dynamics within opposition politics, where individual conscience and party discipline intersect with national security considerations and public accountability measures.

Mamata asks officials to ensure no harassment during voter roll revision
Mamata asks officials to ensure no harassment during voter roll revision

Business Standard

time23 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

Mamata asks officials to ensure no harassment during voter roll revision

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday directed officials to ensure that people are not harassed in the name of electoral roll revision, even as she accused the BJP of targeting not just religious minorities, but also the poor and other backward classes (OBCs). Chairing an administrative review meeting at Bolpur in Birbhum district, Banerjee announced that a dedicated scheme will be launched to assist the alleged persecuted Bengali migrants who have returned from other states amidst rising cases of harassment. "The scheme must include provisions to help them return safely, issue ration and job cards, and provide temporary shelters to those without a place to stay," the chief minister said. Banerjee said the alleged "persecution" of Bengali-speaking migrants in various states is a "deliberate" and "politically motivated" act. "Not just religious minorities, the poor and OBCs are being targeted by them (the BJP). We must stand beside all persecuted Bengali migrants," she asserted. She instructed police and administrative officials to play an active role in implementing the 'Amar Para, Amar Samadhan' (Our Neighbourhood, Our Solution) scheme aimed at resolving local civic and security issues. The chief minister's remarks come amidst a politically charged atmosphere in the state following reports of alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in states like Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, which have triggered widespread concern among families back home.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store