'Politically motivated lies': Himanta Biswa Sarma rejects Pawan Khera’s allegations, vows to file defamation case

NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hit out at Congress leader Pawan Khera over his allegations related to his family’s assets and financial dealings. The sharp response came after Khera, in a press conference, raised a series of questions regarding Sarma’s wife, alleged foreign properties, and financial links, while also demanding an investigation into the matter.Sarma said that he and his wife Rinki Bhuyan Sarma will file criminal and civil defamation cases against the Congress leader within the next 48 hours. In a post on X, Sarma strongly rejected all allegations and accused the Congress of spreading false narratives.“Today’s press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground.”Denying the charges, he said: “I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam.”“My wife and I will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Shri Pawan Khera. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements,” Sarma wrote. Expressing confidence in the legal process, he said: “I have complete faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in a court of law, Shri Pawan Khera will face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course.”During his press conference, Khera made a series of allegations and raised questions about Sarma and his family. He questioned the issue of multiple passports and suggested possible violations of law.Khera also alleged financial links to shell companies abroad and questioned their location.“Himanta Biswa Sarma has kept his money in shell companies set up in Wyoming. Why Wyoming? Because there's no tax here… It's a well-known place where people's properties are hidden away.”He further claimed that the information had been verified before being made public.“When we got this information, we cross-checked it for 2 days, and today this information is before you.”Raising demands for investigation, he said:Khera also questioned the source of alleged wealth and called for action. “Himanta should explain how he earned 52,000 crore rupees?”“Based on this information, Himanta shouldn't stay out of jail even for a day; his nomination should be canceled.”He further alleged that Sarma’s wife, Rinki Bhuyan Sarma, has business and property links abroad.“Himanta's wife Rinki Bhuyan Sarma has a company in Wyoming, USA. The member list of this company includes Rinki Bhuyan Sarma, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and their son.” Khera also raised questions about alleged properties in Dubai and their disclosure. “The question is—Why didn't Himanta disclose his wife's Dubai properties in the affidavit?”He concluded by urging authorities to take action and sought responses from the central leadership. “Home Minister Amit Shah, please respond - will he set up an SIT to investigate this matter?” Khera asked.