Though Himanta Biswa Sarma was once considered a blue-eyed boy of Tarun Gogoi until 2014, their relationship suddenly took a turn for the worse. Two political forces—one representing the old guard and the other, the emerging youth—found themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The prevailing political theory suggests that Tarun Gogoi’s decision to project his son, Gaurav Gogoi, as his political heir and potential Chief Minister of Assam offended Himanta Biswa Sarma. This triggered a series of events that ultimately led to Sarma’s defection to the BJP, and eventually, his ascension to the post of Chief Minister of Assam.
All was relatively quiet until September 20, 2023, when Gaurav Gogoi alleged that Sarma had facilitated the allocation of central government funds to his wife’s company. In retaliation, Sarma accused Gaurav Gogoi of having connections with Ms. Elizabeth Kilburn, who, according to Sarma, was working with a Pakistan-based ISI-funded agency as of March 2025. Since then, the issue has been brought up by Sarma at nearly every public occasion.
Interestingly, this matter falls outside the jurisdiction of the state government, and no official FIR or complaint has been lodged against Gaurav Gogoi. So, is this a political feud or a personal vendetta?
According to political observers, it’s a mix of both—a fifty-fifty case. Gaurav Gogoi’s recent appointment as President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has likely turned what began as a personal rivalry into a full-blown political drama.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is known to be an aggressive and tactical leader. Allegations of Pakistan links can trigger a wave of nationalist sentiment among voters. With support from network media, this narrative could spread quickly and dominate public discourse.
It also serves as a distraction from more pressing issues such as economic decline, corruption allegations, and administrative inefficiencies. By launching a smear campaign against Gaurav Gogoi—who is widely regarded as having a clean image—Sarma may be seeking a temporary political reprieve.
To political analysts, these allegations seem like a non-issue. But for Sarma, the drama serves as a high-stakes strategy for political survival. As the election draws closer, this so-called non-issue is becoming a central public debate. More political players have joined the fray, siding with either of the two main protagonists, adding further fuel to the unfolding political theatre.