File photo of Sarbananda Sonowal. | Photo credit: The HinduThe Hindu
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s office on Monday (January 19, 2026) took serious notice of reports in sections of the media which claimed that the internal conflict within the Assam BJP has reached New Delhi, allegedly on the basis of a letter written by Mr. Sonowal to the party’s national president.
The minister’s office issued a categorical explanation, saying the alleged letter — demanding a change in leadership in Assam and allegations against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma — is completely false, fabricated and forged. It added that the document bears forged official letterhead and forged signature of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
A criminal act
The office stated that the dissemination of such fraudulent material constitutes a serious crime consisting of forgery, impersonation and misuse of an official government identity, the aim of which is apparently to spread misinformation and discredit a constitutional official.
An FIR has been lodged and law enforcement agencies have been asked to investigate the matter on priority and take strict legal action against those responsible.
The office denied the claims outright and clarified that there is absolutely no truth to the claims of internal rivalry or any such correspondence attributed to Mr. Sonowal. The public and the media have been advised not to rely on or disseminate fake and unverified materials and to verify information only from official and authorized sources.
Published – 19 Jan 2026 21:53 IST
