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Citing “national security” concerns and accusations that the Congress MP and his spouse are connected to Pakistan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly opposed Gaurav Gogoi’s inclusion in an all-party delegation assigned to convey India’s position on cross-border terrorism to important international partners.

Sarma objected immediately after Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh revealed the identities of the four Congress MPs selected for the trip: Gaurav Gogoi, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Anand Sharma.

CM Sarma said on social networking site X that the Congress politician had not refuted rumors of a “long stay in Pakistan” and that his wife had accepted payment from a Pakistani non-governmental organization when she was employed in India. Sarma said that his allegation was backed by “credible documents.”

Sarma urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to reevaluate Gogoi’s nomination “in the interest of national security and beyond partisan politics,” cautioning that the position was “sensitive and strategic” in nature and needed personnel free from such controversies.

Neither Gaurav Gogoi nor the Congress party have yet to provide evidence or a detailed response to the accusations.

In his statement, Jairam Ramesh said that the Congress candidates were chosen in response to a direct request from Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, who on May 16 spoke with Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

In order to inform nations, including permanent members of the UN Security Council, of India’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, especially that which comes from Pakistan, the trip is a part of a wider diplomatic effort that includes seven teams of parliamentarians from various political parties. The action comes after recent acts of terrorism, such as Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam assault.