‘Will Drag Him Out’: Himanta Biswa Sarma Targets Pawan Khera Amid Escalating Row

Amid a heated political face-off in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday issued a strong warning to Congress leader Pawan Khera, saying state police would track him down even if he hid in the “deepest abyss.”

The remarks came after an Assam Police team reached Khera’s Delhi residence earlier in the day but did not find him there.

The controversy erupted after Khera alleged that Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, holds multiple passports and owns undisclosed foreign properties not mentioned in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit.

Responding sharply, Sarma accused the Congress of relying on dubious sources. “Do you not know the Assam Police? Pataal se bhi khod ke le aayegi (we will drag him out even from the depths of the netherworld)… Even if he hides in the deepest abyss, we will bring him back,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister claimed that Khera had “run away” to Hyderabad after publicly daring authorities to arrest him. “Till yesterday, he was saying ‘arrest me’, and now when police reached his home, he ran away,” Sarma added.

Confirming the development, Assam Police DCP Debojit Nath said officers conducted a search at Khera’s residence and seized electronic devices. He added that some “incriminating material” was recovered, though details could not be disclosed at this stage.

Senior police officials reiterated that efforts are underway to trace Khera, whose current whereabouts remain unknown.

The political row has significantly escalated tensions ahead of the Assam Assembly elections. Khera’s allegations — including claims that Sarma’s wife holds three passports — have become a flashpoint in the campaign.

Sarma, however, dismissed the charges as “baseless” and “malicious,” alleging they were built on false information sourced from Pakistani social media handles in an attempt to influence the polls.

Elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly are scheduled for April 9, with counting set for May 4.