Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday raised concerns over the inclusion of Congress MP from Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, in the proposed all-party delegations to key partner countries to convey India’s message of zero tolerance against terrorism following ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Sarma urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi not to include his name for India’s delegation to abroad explaining the country’s stance on terrorism from Pakistan as he “has not denied his prolonged stay” in the neighbouring nation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “One of the MPs named in the list (from Assam) has not denied his prolonged stay in Pakistan—reportedly for two weeks—and credible documents show that his wife was drawing salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while working in India.”
Calling it a matter of national security, the chief minister urged Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, not to include the said leader in what he described as a “sensitive and strategic assignment”.
“In the interest of national security and beyond partisan politics, I urge leader of opposition Sri Rahul Gandhi not to include this individual in such a sensitive and strategic assignment,” he added.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh stated that the party had submitted the names of four MPs, as requested by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, to “explain India’s stance on terrorism from Pakistan”.
The nominated MPs include former Union Minister Anand Sharma, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, and Lok Sabha MP Raja Brar.
Notably absent from this list was senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who on Friday publicly stated he had been invited by the government to lead one of the delegations.
A statement issued by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry earlier on Saturday said the all-party delegations will project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
“They would carry forth to the world the country’s strong message of zero tolerance against terrorism,” it stated.
“In the context of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against cross-border terrorism, seven all-party delegations are set to visit key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council later this month,” it said.
