Himanta Biswa Sarma throws open oath challenge to Gaurav Gogoi at Batadrava Than

In a dramatic escalation of the political war of words in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on April 7 publicly challenged Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi to appear with him at Batadrava Than and take an oath over their respective assets and allegations.

During a Facebook Live address, Sarma said he accepts Gogoi’s demand to swear on the Bhagavad Gita regarding his assets, including any foreign properties, bank accounts, and passports linked to his family. He proposed that both leaders meet at Batadrava Than at 9:00 AM on Wednesday (April 8) for the public oath.

However, the Chief Minister also placed a counter-condition, asking Gogoi to disclose details of his wife’s alleged foreign bank accounts and properties in England. Sarma further questioned Gogoi’s reported visit to Pakistan, specifically raising queries about his stay in Rawalpindi and the nature of his engagements during a seven-day trip.

“I accept your challenge,” Sarma said, adding that Gogoi should inform the media of his willingness to join. He also offered flexibility to shift the venue to Guwahati if needed.

The statement has added a fresh flashpoint to the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in the state, with both sides intensifying attacks amid the charged electoral climate.

This comes after Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on April 6 challenged the BJP leader to deny the claims under oath on the Bhagavad Gita.

Speaking to reporters after an election rally in Raha, the Assam Congress president questioned Sarma and asked whether he was hiding assets and business interests abroad while spreading "falsehoods" about political rivals.

A day after Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gogoi sought to know whether Sarma’s wife has three foreign passports, owns property in Dubai, has companies in the US, or has placed assets in shell companies, the chief minister on April 6 claimed the opposition party had concocted the charges using false information from a Pakistani social media group.