Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday, said that Congress president Gaurav Gogoi’s 2013 trip to Pakistan might have been digitally monitored, cautioning that such records could potentially be used to exert pressure on him if he were to occupy higher political or constitutional positions in the future.
Speaking at a press briefing at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Sarma shared findings from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Gogoi’s alleged connections with Pakistan. He claimed that it is common for hostile nations to keep detailed records of visits by foreign political leaders.
Sarma claimed that whenever a political figure travels to a hostile nation, their movements and interactions are usually closely monitored, and he suggested that Pakistan might have captured videos and other digital records of Gogoi’s activities during his visit.
Sarma warned that the danger extends beyond the current moment, as such records could be exploited to pressure Gogoi if he attains a powerful political position in the future.
The Chief Minister argued that such material could leave Gogoi exposed to blackmail if he assumes greater political responsibility. “If Gaurav Gogoi becomes a Chief Minister or holds another significant office, wouldn’t these records make him vulnerable? Could there be attempts to influence his actions?” Sarma questioned.
He described Gogoi as “extremely exposed” following the public release of the SIT’s findings, suggesting that the MP might not even be aware of the identities or affiliations of all the people he met during the Pakistan visit.
The Chief Minister added that while Gogoi might be unaware of the people he met, Pakistan would have full knowledge and maintained records of those interactions.
Sarma further warned that such records could surface years later, either through media reports or indirect pressure, potentially influencing political decisions at critical moments. He also linked Gogoi’s visit to the nature of parliamentary questions he raised after returning to India, which reportedly focused on defence preparedness, military capabilities, and strategic deployments.
Sarma questioned why such sensitive defence-related issues were brought up in Parliament if no outside influence existed, saying these concerns warrant review by national security authorities.
The Chief Minister clarified that his statements were based on security concerns rather than political rivalry. “This is not about party politics. The focus is on protecting the country from external influence over elected leaders,” he said.
Sarma confirmed that the Assam government will forward the SIT report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, citing the state’s limited authority to investigate foreign intelligence activities. “Transparency is crucial. If there is nothing to hide, all relevant information should be made public. Clarifying the details of the Pakistan visit is essential to settle the matter,” he concluded.