Congress Files EC Complaint Seeking Rejection of Himanta Sarma’s Nomination

The Congress on Monday approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking the cancellation of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s candidature, alleging that he failed to disclose his wife’s purported offshore assets in his election affidavit. The complaint claims that the omission violates mandatory disclosure norms under electoral laws.

In a representation submitted to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Congress candidate from Jalukbari, Bidisha Neog, requested an inquiry into the alleged concealment of foreign properties. She cited purported documentary evidence from the Dubai Land Department, claiming that Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, owns or holds beneficial interest in two properties located in Al Barsha South Fourth in Dubai. According to the complaint, the “deliberate non-disclosure” of these assets renders the nomination liable for rejection under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The Congress has also approached the Enforcement Directorate, urging it to initiate a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, into alleged undisclosed assets and business interests linked to Sarma’s family in Dubai and the US state of Wyoming. Party leaders, including Pawan Khera, have further alleged that Sarma’s wife may hold multiple foreign passports and have investments routed through shell companies abroad.

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Adding to the political pressure, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi challenged the Chief Minister to publicly deny the allegations under oath. Speaking at a rally, Gogoi questioned whether Sarma had fully disclosed all family assets in his affidavit and called for transparency. He argued that any undisclosed assets could have legal implications for the validity of the nomination.

Responding to the allegations, Sarma dismissed the claims as baseless, stating that they were derived from misinformation circulated on social media. He asserted that the opposition had fabricated the charges and maintained that neither he nor his family held undisclosed foreign properties as alleged.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in Assam ahead of the elections, with both sides trading accusations over transparency and accountability. The Election Commission is yet to respond to the complaint, and its decision on whether to initiate an inquiry or take further action is expected to be closely watched.

Also Read: Assam CM Himanta Sarma Demands Gogoi Disclose Foreign Property, Bank Details