The ‘Pakistan Connection’ and Assam Politics: Why is a Political Feud Now a National Security Issue?
The political landscape in Assam is heating up as the state approaches what many anticipate will be one of the most exciting and fiercely contested elections in recent times. Yet, in the run-up to the 2026 polls, the focus has dramatically shifted away from issues of governance, infrastructure, or economy, towards a fraught and highly controversial claim involving national security and a foreign rival.
At the heart of this storm is a bitter public feud between two prominent political figures: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. The contention, however, transcends mere personal rivalry, having morphed into a major political crisis centered on allegations of a ‘Pakistan connection’ that the ruling party has used to challenge the opposition’s loyalty and patriotism.
The Allegations: A Foreign Link Claimed
The controversy began to gather momentum in February 2025 when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma began publicly accusing Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, Elizabeth Colburn, of maintaining links with an individual based in Pakistan.
Sarma repeatedly claimed that Gogoi’s wife had connections with a Pakistani national—identified in media reports as Ali Tok or Ali Sher—who allegedly headed an NGO with suspected ties to the Pakistani intelligence ecosystem. The acquisitions made by the Chief Minister broadly fell into three categories: financial, professional, and political.
The specific claims raised by the CM included:
- Professional/Financial Connections: That Elizabeth Colburn maintained professional or financial ties with Ali Sher, the Pakistani national.
- Foreign Travel: That Elizabeth supposedly traveled to Pakistan multiple times, with Sarma alleging that on one occasion, she was escorted by Pakistani security personnel.
- Financial Impropriety: That the NGO through which these alleged connections operated had financial transactions with Indian entities, possibly including Gogoi’s family.
- Conspiracy: Sarma asserted that this pattern of activity pointed to a legal conspiracy involving information sharing, influence operations, or financial impropriety.
The Official Response: SIT and a “Damning” Report
Following the public outcry sparked by the Chief Minister’s claims, the Assam cabinet took formal action. On February 16, 2025, the cabinet ordered the Director General of Police (DGP) to open an investigation into the said Pakistani national and their alleged Indian partners. This led to the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The SIT report was subsequently submitted to the state government on September 10, 2025. Since then, CM Sarma has consistently promised to make the findings public, or at least share its gist. On October 6, the Chief Minister further escalated the situation, describing the findings as “very, very damaging and damning.”
Sarma indicated the government would publish the gist of the report, along with annexed documents, to allow the public to “judge the documents also” and know the “actual character” of the opposition leader. He later stated that the details would be made public soon after the completion of an investigation into another unrelated case.
The Political Stalemate: Evidence vs. Rhetoric
Despite the submission of the SIT report and the Chief Minister’s strong pronouncements, the promise to release the findings remains unfulfilled. No part of the SIT report or supporting evidence has been released to the public. Crucially, in the months since the report’s submission, no formal charge sheet, FIR (First Information Report), or public prosecution has been initiated against the Congress MP or his family.
This lack of action has quickly become the central point of attack for opposition leaders, who argue that the Chief Minister’s position is preventing any objective verification of the claims. They accuse the government of using the SIT as a “political weapon” rather than a genuine investigative tool. Legal experts point out that if the SIT had truly found solid proof of a conspiracy or national security compromise, the logical next steps would have been immediate legal proceedings.
The political dynamics of the controversy are clear: - For Himanta Biswa Sarma: The allegations help solidify his image as a strong, vigilant leader focused on protecting national security, an issue the BJP often frames as its core strength.
- For Gaurav Gogoi: The claims are both politically and personally damaging, directly challenging his public image as a development-focused leader and hinting at disloyalty to the nation.
Wider Implications for Assam Politics
The episode has successfully turned into one of Assam’s biggest political fights, with ramifications that extend far beyond the state’s borders. By introducing the volatile topic of national security and a foreign enemy, Sarma has managed to shift the electoral narrative away from tangible public concerns.
The crisis hit just as opposition parties were attempting to unite ahead of the 2026 elections. By framing the central issue as a question of patriotism and loyalty, the public’s attention has been diverted from critical everyday issues like inflation, unemployment, health infrastructure, and the environment.
Ultimately, the future political impact hinges on the contents of the SIT report—if and when it is released. If the document substantiates the claims, the Congress and Gaurav Gogoi could face serious political trouble. However, if the report fails to provide the promised “damning” evidence, the entire episode risks being dismissed as a case of political overreach and theatre, potentially harming the credibility of the Chief Minister in the long run. What is becoming increasingly evident, however, is that as the election approaches, political framing is successfully drawing attention to issues set by politicians rather than those that truly affect the people on the ground.
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