‘Allegations against me politically-motivated’

TOI: You have been called a murderer by Paresh Baruah. What do you have to say?

Sonowal: The Gauhati high court acquitted me in 2012. We, believers in democracy, always go by the principles of the judiciary.

TOI: But why do you think Baruah is raising this issue now?

Sonowal: Paresh Baruah's statements are completely baseless and politically-motivated.

TOI: How can Baruah's statements be politically-motivated?

Sonowal: Because Congress has also been raising the same allegation. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has been repeatedly raking up this issue. In 1990, the CBI closed the case against me for lack of evidence. In 2006, it was the Congress government, which re-opened the case and after a long hearing, the high court came to a conclusion that I am free from all these allegations.

TOI: That means both Congress and Ulfa(I) are talking on the same line?

Sonowal: Yes

TOI: What is the motive?

Sonowal: I have been projected as the chief ministerial candidate. This is Congress's dirty design to malign my image. Congress had raised this issue in the 2009 election, too.

TOI: Are you saying that Congress and Ulfa(I) have a tacit understanding?

Sonowal: I won't comment on this. People are the best judge. People are learned enough to know why this issue is raised just before the polls. People know that Congress raises this issue in every election.

TOI: Have Baruah and Tarun Gogoi managed to make a dent in your image?

Sonowal: Not at all. The high court has given me a clean chit and there is no way Tarun Gogoi or Paresh Baruah can hurt my image.