Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has publicly rebuked Congress Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi over his recent inquiries concerning her passport application process. Sarma, who also serves as the chairperson and managing director of Pride East Entertainment Pvt Ltd, labelled Gogoi's questions "laughable" and issued a counter-challenge regarding the passport of Gogoi's own wife. This public exchange marks an escalation in ongoing political tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Assam.

The controversy stems from allegations raised by Gaurav Gogoi, who questioned the circumstances surrounding Sarma's passport renewal. Gogoi's inquiries reportedly linked the passport application to the state government's acquisition of land for a micro-finance project, in which Sarma's company, Pride East Entertainment Pvt Ltd, was allegedly involved. He suggested potential irregularities or preferential treatment in the passport issuance process.

In response, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma utilized social media platforms to defend her position and challenge Gogoi directly. She affirmed that her passport was obtained in August 2022 following all standard legal procedures, and that it took 79 days for the document to be processed, implying no expedited treatment. Sarma then directed a similar line of questioning towards Gogoi, inquiring about the date and process of his wife's passport acquisition, which she claimed was issued earlier. "My passport was issued in August 2022 taking 79 days. Can you tell us when your wife got her passport? Why are your questions only for my family?" Sarma wrote in a public statement.

This passport dispute unfolds against a backdrop of previous allegations made by Gogoi against Sarma's company concerning a land deal. Gogoi had alleged that land initially designated for landless families was instead provided to Pride East Entertainment Pvt Ltd for the micro-finance project. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously defended his wife on the land issue, stating that the land in question was not acquired from indigenous landless people and that his wife’s company followed all legal protocols for the land purchase. The Chief Minister had clarified that his wife's firm bought a portion of land to set up a micro-finance project, not to acquire land for the state government.

Key details of the dispute include:

  • Riniki Bhuyan Sarma's passport was issued in August 2022.
  • The processing time for Sarma's passport was 79 days.
  • Gaurav Gogoi's wife's passport was reportedly issued in 2012.
  • The company central to the land allegations is Pride East Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
  • Allegations pertain to land acquisition for a micro-finance project.

The public exchange underscores the intensified political scrutiny and personal attacks characteristic of the current political landscape in Assam. As both sides continue to trade accusations, the resolution of these claims and the potential for further political ramifications remain subjects of public and media observation. The incident highlights the intricate interplay of business, politics, and personal lives within high-profile Indian political families.