Gaurav Gogoi clarifies on wife’s ‘Pakistan links’

way2barak, May 29: Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday refuted Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s allegations regarding his British wife Elizabeth Colburn’s alleged connection with Pakistan’s ISI, calling it the “plot of a C-grade Bollywood movie.”

In his first public statement on the matter, Gogoi clarified that his wife spent only one year in Pakistan in 2013 while working on an international project focused on climate change in South Asia.

“About 14–15 years ago, my wife — a well-known expert in public policy — was involved in an international initiative addressing climate change in South Asia. As part of that work, she spent a year in Pakistan and then came to India in 2012–13, where she has been working ever since. In 2015, she took up a new job,” the Congress leader said.

“I accompanied her in 2013, about 12 years ago. The chief minister is trying to turn this into a C-grade Bollywood movie with a so-called release date of September 10. This story is bound to be a complete flop. The people of Assam are already aware of the truth,” he added.

Gogoi also raised questions about the timing and intent behind the allegations.

“Our counter-question is this: if, according to these accusations, my wife or I committed any wrongdoing or illegal act, then who has been in power for the last 11–12 years? What have the central agencies been doing all this time? Everyone knows the level of scrutiny involved when someone crosses a national border — whether entering or exiting,” Gogoi said.

“As a leader of the opposition who speaks boldly and openly in Parliament, my biodata is known to everyone,” he added.