By Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday escalated his political confrontation with the Congress by filing a ₹500 crore defamation case against senior party leaders, including MP Gaurav Gogoi, accusing them of launching a coordinated campaign of false and damaging allegations against him. The legal action marks one of the most high-stakes defamation battles in recent political memory, underscoring the deepening acrimony between the BJP-led Assam government and the opposition Congress.
Sarma announced that the case was initiated in response to statements made during a Congress press conference earlier in the day, which he described as “malicious, baseless and deliberately misleading.” According to the chief minister, the allegations were intended to tarnish his public image and undermine his credibility as the head of the state government.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Sarma said he has moved both civil and criminal courts seeking damages of ₹500 crore. He named Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Jitendra Singh, Bhupesh Baghel, and Dilip Saikia as respondents in the case, asserting that their remarks crossed the line from political criticism into actionable defamation.
Today, I have filed a defamation case seeking ₹500 crore in damages against Congress leaders Jitendra Singh, Bhupesh Baghel and Gaurav Gogoi for making false, malicious and defamatory allegations against me through a press conference. https://t.co/a9iLcghHiR
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 10, 2026
“Today, I have filed a defamation case seeking ₹500 crore in damages against Congress leaders for making false, malicious and defamatory allegations against me through a press conference,” Sarma wrote. He added that the legal proceedings would formally commence on February 9, 2026, signalling his intent to pursue the matter aggressively rather than allowing it to remain in the realm of political rhetoric.
The Assam chief minister framed the lawsuit as a broader pushback against what he termed “hit-and-run politics,” arguing that opposition leaders must be held accountable for public statements that, in his view, lack evidence. “If they have even an ounce of courage or proof, let them establish every allegation before a court of law,” Sarma said, asserting that political freedom does not extend to spreading unverified claims.
Sarma also used unusually sharp language to accuse the Congress leadership of engaging in what he called orchestrated slander, claiming he would not be deterred by “propaganda or political theatrics.” The remarks reflect an increasingly combative tone adopted by the chief minister, who has often positioned himself as a vocal defender of his government’s record against opposition attacks.
Legal experts note that defamation suits involving such high monetary claims are rare in Indian politics, though they have become more frequent in recent years as leaders seek judicial remedies alongside political responses. While the final outcome will depend on the courts, the case is likely to draw national attention given the stature of the leaders involved and the scale of damages sought.
As of Tuesday evening, there was no official response from the Congress leaders named in the suit. Party sources, however, indicated that a legal and political reply could be forthcoming after reviewing the details of the case.
The development comes at a time when Assam’s political climate is already charged, with both the BJP and Congress sharpening their strategies ahead of future electoral contests. Whether the courtroom becomes the next major battleground for this rivalry now remains to be seen.
