“Triple Passport” Row: Himanta Biswa Sarma Vows Defamation Suit as Congress Moves EC

Just days before Assam heads to the polls on April 9, 2026, a massive political firestorm has erupted over allegations that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, holds multiple foreign passports and undisclosed offshore assets. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera launched the “exposé” on Sunday, claiming she possesses passports from the UAE, Antigua and Barbuda, and Egypt, alongside luxury properties in Dubai and a shell company in Wyoming, USA.

The Chief Minister has categorically dismissed the claims as “digitally manipulated propaganda,” threatening to file both criminal and civil defamation cases within 48 hours.

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The “Exposé”: Congress’s Allegations

At a high-decibel press conference in New Delhi and later in Guwahati, Pawan Khera presented purported documents detailing a “secret” international portfolio.

• The Passports: Khera alleged the existence of a UAE “Golden Card” (valid until 2027), an Antigua and Barbuda passport (issued 2021), and an Egyptian passport (issued 2022).

• Undisclosed Assets: The Opposition claimed Riniki Bhuyan Sharma owns two luxury hotels/properties in Dubai and an LLC in Wyoming that were omitted from the CM’s mandatory election affidavit for the Jalukbari seat.

• The “Flee” Narrative: Khera questioned if the family was preparing to “flee the country” in the event of an electoral defeat on May 4.

The Rebuttal: “Digital Manipulation” Exposed?

Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife hit back on social media, pointing to several technical “glitches” in the documents shared by the Congress.

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Riniki Bhuyan Sharma criticized the lack of due diligence, stating, “I had not expected a national party to resort to such poor photo editing and imaginary passports.”

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Pre-Election Fallout: April 6, 2026

The controversy has shifted the focus of the final 72 hours of campaigning in Assam:

1. ECI Intervention: Assam PCC Chief Gaurav Gogoi confirmed that the Congress is moving the Election Commission to seek Sarma’s disqualification for allegedly concealing assets.

2. ED Probe Demand: The Opposition has also appealed to PM Narendra Modi for an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the alleged Wyoming shell companies.

3. Jalukbari Heat: While Sarma was widely expected to cruise to victory in his stronghold, this “Passport-Gate” has energized the Congress base just as the state enters the 48-hour “silence period” before the April 9 single-phase vote.

Investigative Insight: The “Deepfake” Election?

The timing of this “revelation”—exactly four days before polling—suggests a high-stakes “October Surprise” strategy. If the documents are indeed “digitally manipulated” as Sarma claims, the Congress could face a severe legal and electoral backlash for spreading misinformation. However, by naming specific countries like Antigua and Barbuda (known for “Citizenship by Investment” programs), the Congress is tapping into a pre-existing public suspicion regarding high-net-worth individuals and “Plan B” citizenships.

With the Supreme Court already describing West Bengal as “the most polarized state” in the context of the Malda crisis, the Assam Election 2026 is now following a similar trajectory of high-intensity character assassination. Whether voters view this as a “genuine exposé” or “frustrated propaganda” will be clear on May 4, but for now, Pawan Khera’s “Picture abhi baki hai” warning suggests the Opposition has more “trailers” ready to drop before Thursday’s first ballot is cast.

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