India, April 8 -- The political row between Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pawan Khera escalated on Wednesday, as senior BJP and Congress leaders joined the war of words.

The row erupted after Khera, addressing a press conference in Guwahati, alleged that Assam CM's wife Riniki holds three passports - from India, UAE and Egypt - and owns undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai and a company in US' Wyoming.

Following this, Riniki filed a criminal defamation FIR against Khera, leading to a raid at his home.

The minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita said the claims made by Khera against Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma were "fake and fabricated."

Even as the row escalates with police action, leaders on b...