Himanta "disturbed, desperate, rattled": Congress goes ballistic after cops visit Khera's home

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday lashed out at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after a police team visited party leader Pawan Khera's residence here in connection with a case related to the allegations he levelled against the BJP leader and his family, saying this is a "witch hunt" with a "bully" using state machinery to muzzle Opposition's voice.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the deployment of a full army of police officials to arrest his colleague Khera for asking basic questions in the public interest proves that the Assam CM is "disturbed, desperate, and rattled".

"This is not due process but instead a witch hunt, a bully using state machinery to muzzle and silence the voice of the Opposition that is exposing his many black deeds. Those who intimidate are the ones who are afraid and have much to hide," Ramesh said on X.


It also proves that the CM is facing imminent defeat, Ramesh added.

Also read | Himanta accuses Congress of Pakistan-linked smear campaign

An Assam Police team on Tuesday visited the Delhi residence of Khera for questioning in connection with the case linked to allegations made against the Assam chief minister and his family.

The team formally informed Delhi Police upon arrival, following which a local police team joined and is assisting in the proceedings, sources said.

The development comes amid a political tussle after Sarma alleged that the Congress used "false information" sourced from a Pakistani social media group to level charges against his wife regarding multiple passports and overseas assets. He termed the allegations an attempt to influence the Assam elections and a punishable offence.

Khera on Sunday had alleged that Sarma's wife possesses passports of three countries and that he concealed information about her properties, but the BJP leader "categorically rejected" the claims as "malicious" and "fabricated" and vowed to take legal action "within 48 hours".

Also read | RaGa attacks Himanta, calls him 'most corrupt CM'

Targeting Sarma as the campaign peaks for the April 9 election in Assam, Congress' media and publicity department head Khera showed, at a press conference, purported documents to support the allegations and demanded that the Election Commission cancel his nomination for allegedly concealing information in his poll affidavit.

The Congress has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission on Monday, demanding the cancellation of Sarma's candidature, contending that he did not mention his wife's alleged offshore assets in the poll affidavit.