Gandhi family must pay for its 'sins': BJP on ED's attachment of National Herald assets
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday hit back at the Congress over its condemnation of the seizure of National Herald assets, as the ruling party asserted that the Gandhi family must pay for its "sins".
Former Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Gandhi family of capturing National Herald assets by converting the now-defunct newspaper's properties into its "personal properties".
An online version of the publication is, however, available.
Addressing a press conference, Prasad asked the Congress to explain as to how the action taken against "rank dishonesty and loot of public property" can be described as negation of democracy.
After the ED attached assets of the Congress-promoted National Herald on Tuesday, the Congress said such "petty vendetta tactics" cannot frighten it and dubbed the probe agency a "coalition partner" of the BJP. Its leader K C Venugopal slammed the BJP and the probe agencies as "murderers of democracy".
Prasad said the newspaper had prime properties in many cities and alleged that senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi appropriated these pricey assets as the shares of the firm owning it were transferred to a company where the two controlled 76 per cent of shares.
It was a shameful new low in democracy, he claimed.
The Gandhi family not only appropriated the Congress' legacy of spearheading the freedom movement but also the assets associated with the party, he alleged, adding that both Congress leaders moved judiciary against actions of probe agencies, including Income Tax, but did not get relief.
What the family did was a case of the "Congress and commerce", he said, citing the use of the phrase in past cases of similar nature involving opposition leaders.
Rejecting the Congress' claim that the ED's action was an outcome of the BJP's frustration as it was losing in the current round of assembly polls, Prasad claimed that it was the Congress which will be defeated soundly and noted that the National Herald case probe began on a private complaint before the Modi government came to power in 2014.
Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul are facing cheating and forgery charges and are currently on bail, he noted and cited the trial court's critical observations about the allegations against them to make his point.
"You think that you keep looting but no action should be taken. The family must pay for its sins, corruption and misuse of power," he said.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also questioned by probe agencies in "sponsored" cases related to the 2002 Gujarat riots when he was the chief minister but BJP workers did not carry out protests. He came out unscathed, the BJP leader said.
When the Congress leaders were called for questioning, they act like freedom fighters, he said in a swipe at Sonia Gandhi and Rahul.
To a question about the AAP's claim of the BJP targeting its leaders, he said the judiciary has vetted the action taken by probe agencies. If AAP leaders think proceeding will stop of they make a lot of noise, then they are mistaken, he said.
A number of AAP leaders are currently behind bars in the corruption case related to excise policy.
The ED said on Tuesday that it has issued an order to provisionally attach properties worth Rs 751.9 crore in the money laundering case being investigated by it.
The federal probe agency also alleged in the statement that the shareholders and donors of the Congress were "cheated" by the office-bearers of AJL and the party.
The National Herald is published by AJL and owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian, holding 38 per cent shares each.
Gandhi family must pay for its sins, including corruption and misuse of power: BJP leader @rsprasad on ED's attachment of National Herald assets. pic.twitter.com/Q18ETM59L7
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 22, 2023
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
