Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed that material used by Congress leaders in recent press briefings was sourced from a Pakistani social media group, sharpening political tensions ahead of the state elections.
The remarks come at a crucial moment, just days before Assam votes in a single phase, with both the BJP and the Congress stepping up attacks and counter-attacks over personal and political allegations.
Addressing reporters, Sarma said that two press conferences held by Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi in Delhi and Guwahati were based on material linked to Pakistan. “During our research, we found that the entire material of the press conference, which took place yesterday, was supplied by a Pakistani social media group,” he said.
He also alleged that the documents shown in the briefings were manipulated using artificial intelligence tools. “The original UAE passport was uploaded on social media by a Pakistani man. They did AI Photoshop in the passport. The Egyptian passport is also fake. You can find out through Google Reverse,” Sarma said, adding that the controversy was being built using fabricated material.
Sarma further claimed that Pakistan’s interest in Assam’s elections had grown unusually in recent days. According to him, several television discussions in Pakistan had focused on the state polls, with outcomes favouring the Congress.
“In the last 10 days, Pakistan channels have done at least 11 talk shows regarding the election in Assam, which never happened earlier. And in every talk show, the conclusion is that Congress should win. Pakistan’s link to yesterday’s press conference has also now become very, very apparent,” the CM said.
He also questioned the credibility of the allegations around foreign companies linked to his family, saying such entities can be easily created. “Anyone can register a company by paying USD 199. After yesterday’s press conference, they created another company in the name of Riniki,” he said.
During the briefing, Sarma presented what he described as evidence, including a slide titled “How the truth was uncovered,” to point out inconsistencies in the documents. He said a simple reverse search of the passport details revealed original information that did not match the claims made.
Addressing the media on a very important issue.
Join Live https://t.co/ImKMbv8x6l
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 6, 2026
Sarma also warned that using fake documents to sway voters could invite legal trouble. He said such actions fall under serious criminal offences, which carry strict punishment under the law.
“Normally, when you raise a certain issue before the public with fraudulent documents, it attracts 420 and 468 of the IPC. Of course, there is a correspondence provision in new BNS. When you use these allegations with fabricated documents to influence a result or outcome of an election, then it attracts higher penalty provisions, and the punishment for that is life imprisonment,” Sarma said.
He added that his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, has already filed a police complaint and that authorities are expected to act under appropriate legal sections.
“Yesterday, my wife filed an FIR, and I am sure that the police will register the case in the appropriate section of law and take necessary action,” he said.
Passport allegations spark counterattack from Congress
The controversy began after Khera alleged that Sarma’s wife held multiple passports and had undisclosed business interests abroad, including properties in Dubai and links to companies in the United States.
Responding earlier, Sarma rejected the claims and said one of the passports cited was not genuine. He stated that both Dubai authorities and the Indian government had confirmed that the document in question was fake, adding that the photograph used did not match his wife.
Meanwhile, Gogoi continued to question the Chief Minister, referring to Dubai’s long-term “Golden visa” scheme in a social media post and demanding a probe into the allegations. Khera, on his part, has said that more evidence will be presented and has raised questions over asset disclosures.
The exchange has intensified political confrontation in the run-up to polling. Assam will vote on April 9 across all 126 Assembly constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4.