NDA conceded defeat in Bihar polls, its leaders preparing to vacate official residences: Pawan Khera
Patna (PTI): Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Sunday claimed that the NDA has “conceded” defeat in the Bihar assembly polls, and many of its leaders have begun the process to vacate their official residences.
Talking to reporters here, he also alleged that “sensing defeat”, officials at the instance of ruling NDA leaders, “were shifting important files”.
“The NDA leaders have conceded defeat, after the voter turnout in the first phase and people’s enthusiasm in favour of the INDIA bloc for the final phase of voting on November 11,” the Congress leader asserted.
“We have also come to know that many of its ministers, including deputy CMs, have begun the process to vacate their official residences… It will not be surprising if we come to know about fire breaking out at places where these files are being stored,” said Khera, who is also chairman of the Media & Publicity wing of the party.
He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘katta’ remarks at poll rallies in Bihar, alleging that the PM has insulted the state's youth by using such words.
“The Prime Minister should apologise for this,” Khera said.
Modi, addressing election rallies in Sitamarhi and Bettiah on Saturday, had claimed that people were not voting for the RJD-helmed opposition in Bihar, as they fear that if voted to power, its regime will "put ‘katta’ (country-made gun) on their heads and order them to hold their hands up”.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
