In a recent press statement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Congress President Gaurav Gogoi of having traveled to Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2013 without a visa, interpreting this admission as indicative of Gogoi's potential status as a 'state guest' during his visit. Gogoi, who has previously stated that he visited Rawalpindi that year, has also asserted that all relevant details of his travels were submitted to the central government when he applied for a diplomatic passport after becoming an MP in 2014.

The CM's allegations suggest a deeper political strategy ahead of upcoming assembly elections, aiming to undermine Gogoi's credibility by linking his visit to Pakistan with a need for transparency and trust. Sarma further claimed that the nature of Gogoi's visit must have involved the Pakistani military or police due to the lack of a visa, implying a suspicious or elite status granted to the Congress leader that is unverified.

This controversy adds to the ongoing political rivalry in Assam, particularly between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. As electoral campaigns heat up, statements like Sarma's may polarize public opinion by evoking national security themes and questioning the loyalties of political opponents, potentially swaying voter sentiment as the state prepares for significant electoral stakes.