New Delhi: In what is being seen as a major political setback for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has been appointed President of the India–Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha — despite months of allegations levelled against him by the Assam CM.
The nomination, made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, comes at a time when Sarma has been publicly accusing Gogoi of having “links with Pakistan” and raising questions about his wife’s alleged connections with individuals in that country.
The Lok Sabha has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 countries, with several senior Opposition leaders heading these forums. Each group comprises 11 members, including MPs from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Gogoi’s elevation to lead a parliamentary forum tasked with strengthening India’s international ties has triggered sharp reactions in Assam’s political circles, particularly because Sarma has repeatedly suggested that the Congress leader poses a national security concern.
The Assam government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of interference in India’s internal affairs by Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who the Chief Minister claimed had links with Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colburn.
Sarma alleged that Gogoi, Colburn and Sheikh shared a “deeper connection” and claimed that Intelligence Bureau inputs were passed to a neighbouring country. He announced that the SIT report would be referred to the Centre for further investigation.
However, Gogoi categorically denied the allegations, stating that the Assam Police report contains no evidence against him. He also questioned why the Chief Minister “sat” on the SIT report for six months if there was any credible proof of wrongdoing.
Against this backdrop, Gogoi’s nomination by the Lok Sabha Speaker assumes political significance. Congress leaders argue that the appointment exposes what they describe as a sustained smear campaign by the Assam Chief Minister.
According to an official communication dated February 23 from the Conference and Protocol Branch of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Gogoi has been nominated as President of the India–Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the current Lok Sabha term.
Parliamentary Friendship Groups function as informal forums to strengthen bilateral engagement and legislative dialogue. The India–Philippines grouping is seen as particularly important under India’s Act East Policy, with growing cooperation between the two countries in defence, maritime security and trade.
The development raises uncomfortable questions for the Assam Chief Minister: if the allegations were as grave as projected, how did the same Parliament deem Gogoi fit to head a key international parliamentary forum?
While the SIT report is now being referred to the Centre, Gogoi’s appointment signals that, at least at the parliamentary level, the accusations have not translated into institutional action against him.