Rijiju alleges Rahul Gandhi Asked Pawan Kheda To Make ‘False Allegations’ Against Himanta Biswa Sarma, Wife

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress leaders, alleging that Rahul Gandhi instructed fellow party member Pawan Khera to make false allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki prior to the state's assembly elections. Rijiju stated that he was informed by two Congress party members about Gandhi's request to Khera.

The alleged false accusations led to a defamation case against Khera, who was later awarded a Rajya Sabha seat, which Rijiju claimed Khera does not deserve. The Khera-Sarma dispute began in April when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Sarma's wife Riniki held foreign passports. Khera subsequently filed a defamation FIR against Bhuyan, accusing her of possessing three passports from India, the UAE, and Egypt.

He also alleged she owned luxury properties in Dubai and a US company. Following the allegations, Khera faced a raid at his home and the Ministry of External Affairs intervened, stating the claims were "fake and fabricated." Rijiju criticized Khera's abusive language, threatening to report him to Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and questioned Khera's conduct in a post on X. Rijiju also defended his swimming abilities, stating he swims with villagers to inspire his people and followers, while dismissing Congress's attempts to compare him to Rahul Gandhi.