Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Rejects Congress Allegations on Wife’s Passports and Overseas Assets

A bitter political controversy erupted on Sunday as the Congress party intensified allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma , asserting she holds three foreign passports, controls an extremely valuable U.S. firm with tens of billions in valuation and has failed to disclose significant overseas assets. The chief minister and his wife categorically rejected the claims as “malicious, fabricated and politically motivated” and vowed to pursue criminal and civil defamation actions against Congress leaders.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Congress media and publicity chief Pawan Khera displayed what he described as purported documents showing that Ms Bhuyan Sarma holds passports from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Antigua and Barbuda , calling it inconsistent with Indian law, which does not permit multiple citizenship. He alleged she also owns properties in Dubai and is linked to a Wyoming‑based company in the United States that he claimed is valued at $34.67 billion (about ₹2.8 lakh crore) , with a stake purportedly shared by Sarma, his wife and their son, and that approximately ₹52,000 crore in funds were to be distributed among them.

“This company’s member list includes Himanta Biswa Sarma, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and their son, with plans to open a hotel in America,” Khera said, claiming that Sarma had “kept money in shell companies set up in Wyoming,” a state he described as a tax haven, and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. He urged the Election Commission to cancel Sarma’s nomination for the April 9 Assam assembly elections and called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to act.

Khera also questioned how such assets were accumulated, demanded an explanation for why “tens of thousands of crores” had not been disclosed in election affidavits, and asked, “Does she also hold Indian citizenship and passport, given that India does not permit dual citizenship?” accusing the chief minister of hypocrisy given his past criticisms of other political figures.

Reacting sharply, Chief Minister Sarma dismissed the allegations as “malicious propaganda” on social media platform X , saying the documents presented by Congress showed “multiple glaring inconsistencies” , including mismatched surnames, incorrect dates and apparent errors in passport details, that indicated possible fabrication or digital manipulation. “Truth will prevail. Those spreading misinformation will be held accountable,” he wrote, adding: “They must provide evidence before targeting my wife.”

Sarma said he and Ms Bhuyan Sarma would file criminal and civil defamation cases within 48 hours against Pawan Khera and other Congress leaders responsible for the allegations, warning that those responsible would face legal consequences if their statements proved false.

The controversy has added fuel to the already high‑tension election campaign in Assam. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also criticized Sarma’s leadership at campaign rallies, labelling him “India’s most corrupt chief minister” and accusing him of divisive politics, while positioning the opposition as an alternative focused on accountability.