Rahul Gandhi & Himanta Biswa Sarma (File photos) NEW DELHI: Even as the dust of Assam’s poll campaign has settled, the ugly faceoff witnessed during the high-octane showdown between chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Congress escalated on Monday, with Rahul Gandhi calling the Assam CM “the most corrupt in the country” who is “abusing state power to harass his political opponents”.Backing his party colleague Pawan Khera, whose Delhi house Assam police raided after an explosive claim against Himanta’s wife, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha said the “Congress stands with Pawan Khera” and that the “party will not be intimidated”.”The present CM of Assam is the most corrupt in the country. He will not escape the law. His abuse of state power to harass his political opponents and critics is against the Constitution. The questions that are being raised have to be probed. Transparency, accountability of power and rule of law are the basis of our Constitutional values. The Congress Party stands with Pawan Khera. We will not be intimidated,” Rahul Gandhi wrote against Himanta, who switched from Congress to the BJP in 2016.Khera struck Himanta’s nerve after he alleged, in a press conference, the Assam CM’s wife held multiple foreign passports, prompting a sharp rebuttal and legal threat from the BJP leader.“We have documents showing that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds three passports. The first is a UAE Golden Card, the second an Antigua and Barbuda passport, and the third an Egyptian passport. Two of these belong to Islamic countries, yet they continue to claim religious adherence publicly,” Khera said.Later, Sarma dismissed the claims as politically motivated and said that both he and his wife will file a defamation case against Khera within 48 hours. “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,” he wrote on X.As the faceoff began to worsen, Telangana High Court granted anticipatory bail to Khera in connection with a case registered against him over his alleged defamatory remarks against CM Sarma and his wife.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPatna Posters Push Nishant Kumar As Next Chief Minister Of BiharDelhi To Dehradun In 2.5 Hours? PM To Flag Off India’s New Expressway That Opens New Era Of SpeedWomen’s Quota Bill Back In Focus As PM Modi Urges Parties To Unite For Historic Parliament Move’India Guides World Through Crises’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Big Message Amid US-Iran DeadlockNoida Worker Protest Over Pay Turns Violent As Dispute Escalates Into Chaos, Police Use Tear GasDelimitation Row Heats Up As Sonia Gandhi Slams Modi Govt Over Timing, Process Of Women’s Quota BillIran Lauds India’s Stand After US Talks, Says Strait Of Hormuz Belongs To All NationsUS-Iran Deal HITS DEAD END, Trump SHIFTS TO Pakistan Praise, Replays India-Pak War ClaimMEA Slams China’s ‘Mischievous Attempts’, Rejects Fictitious Names to Arunachal Pradesh LocationsUAE Visit: Jaishankar Conveys PM Modi’s Thanks, Highlights India’s Role In Regional Stability123PhotostoriesWhy did Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle always swear by white sarees – Faith, fashion, or strategy?Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat sleeper service coming soon; what we knowNoida turns warzone: Cars torched, stones rain down as workers’ protest spirals into violenceWhy do you keep getting sick every few weeks?Baby names inspired by moon6 popular snacks that were originally sold as medicine8 beautiful baby girls names that mean ‘genius’Best non-American sitcoms of all time: ‘Derry Girls’, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and more10 dishes that make lentils feel anything but ordinarySaas-bahu relationships on Indian TV that were actually wholesome: Devyani-Simar, Sudha-Parvati and more123Hot PicksIran war ceasefirePAN Card application 2026Purple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK Doctors NewsIPL Schedule this weekUS Iran talksMorgan StanleyJasprit BumrahTim DavidIPL Points TableRohit SharmaSara TendulkarHardik Pandya
NEW DELHI: Even as the dust of Assam’s poll campaign has settled, the ugly faceoff witnessed during the high-octane showdown between chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Congress escalated on Monday, with Rahul Gandhi calling the Assam CM “the most corrupt in the country” who is “abusing state power to harass his political opponents”.Backing his party colleague Pawan Khera, whose Delhi house Assam police raided after an explosive claim against Himanta’s wife, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha said the “Congress stands with Pawan Khera” and that the “party will not be intimidated”.“The present CM of Assam is the most corrupt in the country. He will not escape the law. His abuse of state power to harass his political opponents and critics is against the Constitution. The questions that are being raised have to be probed. Transparency, accountability of power and rule of law are the basis of our Constitutional values. The Congress Party stands with Pawan Khera. We will not be intimidated,” Rahul Gandhi wrote against Himanta, who switched from Congress to the BJP in 2016.Khera struck Himanta’s nerve after he alleged, in a press conference, the Assam CM’s wife held multiple foreign passports, prompting a sharp rebuttal and legal threat from the BJP leader.“We have documents showing that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds three passports. The first is a UAE Golden Card, the second an Antigua and Barbuda passport, and the third an Egyptian passport. Two of these belong to Islamic countries, yet they continue to claim religious adherence publicly,” Khera said.Later, Sarma dismissed the claims as politically motivated and said that both he and his wife will file a defamation case against Khera within 48 hours. “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,” he wrote on X.As the faceoff began to worsen, Telangana High Court granted anticipatory bail to Khera in connection with a case registered against him over his alleged defamatory remarks against CM Sarma and his wife.
