Sivasagar/Guwahati, April 7 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday criticized the Congress for "failing to verify" the documents on which it based its allegations against him and his family.
Congress leader Pawan Khera had on Sunday alleged that Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, possesses multiple passports and foreign properties, which were not disclosed in Sarma's election affidavit.
Sarma also criticized Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, claiming that he was "speaking irrationally" due to his age, following Kharge's call for central agencies to investigate the allegations.
Sarma asserted that Khera had "left for Hyderabad," but the Assam Police would "track him down even from the underworld."
"The Assam Police doesn't know them... they will find him even from the underworld," Sarma stated.
An Assam Police team had earlier in the day visited Khera's residence in Delhi to question him in connection with the case, but was unable to find him.
When asked for his reaction to Kharge's assertion that the Union government should investigate the allegations, Sarma told reporters at an election campaign meeting, "If they didn't know the truth, why did they make it public? They should have first consulted with the foreign minister."
Kharge, at a press conference in Guwahati on Tuesday, said that all agencies under the central government should investigate the charges.
"They have already filed an FIR against Khera. Let them investigate. We will face the case as it progresses. We have sought an investigation by the ED or CBI into the allegations," he said.
Sarma added, "Kharge is aging and is speaking irrationally. You first insult the people and then ask the foreign minister for verification? Is he your son-in-law?"
"I believe Rahul Gandhi gave these documents to Khera, and if that's the case, the case will also involve him," Sarma added.
Sarma warned the Congress against "trying to threaten us, as we have fought against Islamic invasions 17 times," while also referring to the legendary Ahom general Lachit Barphukan, who decisively defeated the Mughals.
"We are a different world... We don't care about Kharge and others," Sarma asserted.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sarma had claimed that Khera had "left for Hyderabad," after daring the state police to arrest him.
"Pawan Khera had dared the Assam Police to arrest him, but he has now left for Hyderabad," Sarma told
The Assam Police team on Tuesday carried out a search at Khera's Delhi residence in connection with a case filed by Sarma's wife over his allegations of multiple passports and undeclared assets, officials said.
Assam Police DCP Debojit Nath said that Khera was not found at his residence. However, he said, a search was carried out and electronic devices were seized.
"I don't know why they have gone, as he (Khera) ran away yesterday itself. Till yesterday, Khera was saying arrest me, and now when the police reached his home, he ran away," Sarma claimed.
"He had made false allegations against me," the CM asserted, adding that he will "not spare" the Congress leader.
Reacting to the police action in Delhi, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi questioned the force for its "inaction" in dealing with complaints from opposition candidates in the state.
"When Gorkha youth leader Sunil Chetry (Raijor Dal candidate), Congress women candidates Bidisha Neog and Mira Borthakur were attacked, where were the Assam Police then?" Gogoi, who is contesting from Jorhat, said.
"When a Congress spokesperson called a press conference, the police woke up," he said.
"People want relief from such an undemocratic government, and it will be reflected in the election results," the Congress leader added.
The Congress is part of a six-party opposition alliance, which also includes the Raijor Dal.
Khera had on Sunday alleged that Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, possesses passports of the UAE, Egypt and Antigua-Barbuda, two properties in Dubai and assets in shell companies in the US.
These details were not disclosed in Sarma's election affidavit, the Congress claimed, and approached the Election Commission for disqualifying him.
On Monday, Sarma had alleged that the Congress used "false information" sourced from a Pakistani social media group to level "baseless" and "malicious" allegations against his wife. The BJP leader termed it an attempt to influence the Assam elections and a punishable offense.
The chief minister had also said that his wife has filed a police complaint against Khera.
For the last one year, the Assam CM and the BJP have been attacking Gogoi and his British wife Elizabeth Colburn, alleging connections with Pakistan's spy agency ISI.
Elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4.