New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Kheda asked many questions to the Chief Minister of Assam. Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuiyan Sharma sought clarity on the disclosures made in the official affidavits.Kheda also said that he would present more evidence in the coming days as the controversy has intensified ahead of the state assembly elections.Speaking to reporters, he further questioned why the Assam CM hid details of foreign assets allegedly linked to his wife in official disclosures.“Are they denying that they have no assets in Dubai? Are they denying that they have no companies in the US? Are they denying that they have no shell companies anywhere in the world? We will provide more evidence every day. There’s a lot coming. Why has he hidden Dubai properties owned by his wife in his election affidavit?” He said.The remarks come amid a political controversy that has turned into a war of words, with Himanta announcing legal action against the Congress leader.

Sarma rejects allegations, announces defamation case

Reacting to the allegations, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday dismissed all the allegations as ‘malicious’ and ‘politically motivated’ and said both he and his wife would initiate legal proceedings.In a post on Twitter, he wrote: “I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam.”He further said, “I and my wife will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases against Mr. Pawan Kheda within the next 48 hours. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements.”Expressing confidence in the legal process, Sarma said, “I have full faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in the court, Mr. Pawan Kheda will have to face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course.

Kheda’s allegations and demand for investigation

During his press conference, Khera made several allegations, including claims related to foreign properties, shell companies and passport holdings linked to the CM’s family.He asked, “Why does Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife need to have 3 passports? Are you some kind of criminal? Does Himanta himself have more such passports? Is this a preparation to run away after losing the elections?”He also alleged financial ties with shell companies abroad, saying: “Himanta Biswa Sarma has kept his money in shell companies established in Wyoming. Why Wyoming? “Because there is no tax here…it is a famous place where people’s assets are kept hidden.”Demanding a probe, Kheda asked: “When will Amit Shah form an SIT to probe? When will CEC Gyanesh Kumar take cognizance of hiding information in the affidavit?”He further claimed, “Himanta’s wife Rinke Bhuyan Sarma has a company in Wyoming, USA. The member list of this company includes Rinke Bhuyan Sarma, Himanta Biswa Sarma and their sons.”The controversy began when Kheda alleged that Riniki Bhuiyan Sharma held multiple foreign passports and had business and property links abroad, including Dubai and the United States.However, Sarma rejected the claims and pointed to ‘serious inconsistencies’ in the documents cited by Kheda, which suggest possible fabrication or manipulation. He said the allegations are part of a politically motivated campaign ahead of the Assam Assembly elections.