Congress Accuses Assam CM's Wife of Holding Multiple Passports; CM Threatens Legal Action

Original: Congress claims Himanta’s wife has passports from 3 countries, Assam CM threatens to file defamation case

The Indian Express•Apr 5, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

The Congress party has alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, holds passports from three countries and undisclosed assets abroad. CM Sarma has dismissed these claims as false and politically motivated, announcing plans to file defamation suits against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.

Key Points

01Congress alleges Riniki Bhuyan Sarma holds passports from the UAE, Antigua & Barbuda, and Egypt.
02CM Himanta Biswa Sarma plans to file defamation cases against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.
03Khera questioned the legitimacy of Sarma's wife's multiple passports and alleged undisclosed properties.
04Sarma has rejected the allegations as politically motivated lies.
05Riniki Bhuyan Sarma is a businesswoman owning significant media and educational ventures in Assam.

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Full Summary

The Congress party has made serious allegations against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming she possesses passports from three countries: the United Arab Emirates, Antigua & Barbuda, and Egypt. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera raised these accusations during a press conference, questioning how Sarma's wife could hold passports from two Muslim-majority countries while her husband campaigns against them. Khera also alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma has undisclosed properties in the UAE and a company registered in Wyoming, USA, which were not mentioned in Sarma's official affidavit. In response, CM Sarma categorically denied the allegations, labeling them as false, malicious, and politically motivated. He announced intentions to file both criminal and civil defamation lawsuits against Khera within the next 48 hours, asserting his confidence in the judiciary to resolve the matter. Riniki Bhuyan Sarma is known as a prominent businesswoman in Assam, owning the state's largest media house along with a private school and a resort. This controversy follows CM Sarma's campaign against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, whom he has accused of being a

Key Figures

3

Number of countries from which Riniki Bhuyan Sarma allegedly holds passports

48 hours

Timeframe within which CM Sarma plans to file defamation cases

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Why It Matters

The allegations and subsequent legal actions could influence public perception of both the Congress party and the ruling government in Assam, potentially affecting voter sentiment ahead of elections.

Who is affected

voters in Assam, political parties, and local businesses

What to know

Voters should stay informed about the developments and consider the implications for their electoral choices.

FAQ

The Congress party alleges that she holds passports from the UAE, Antigua & Barbuda, and Egypt, and has undisclosed properties in the UAE and a company in Wyoming, USA.

CM Sarma has dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated, announcing plans to file defamation suits against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera.

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