Why was Balen not seen at Indra Jatra?
In previous years, the Mayor of Kathmandu typically led the welcome ceremony for these dignitaries.
Kathmandu: Two years ago, when Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah (Balen) arrived at Basantapur to participate in Indra Jatra, he was met with loud cheers and support from the crowd.
The enthusiasm for Balen among the public was so overwhelming that even high-ranking officials, including the President, Prime Minister, and leaders of political parties, were overshadowed.
However, at this year’s Indra Jatra ceremony, held on Tuesday, Mayor Balen Shah was notably absent. Instead, a few youths wearing t-shirts with Balen’s image were detained by Kathmandu police for nearly three hours before being released.
According to SSP Binod Ghimire of the Valley Police Office, 14 individuals were temporarily detained and later released to prevent any clashes with the local community.
Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol welcomed distinguished guests, including President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Speaker Devraj Ghimire. In previous years, the Mayor of Kathmandu typically led the welcome ceremony for these dignitaries.
Why was Mayor Balen absent this time?
According to a member of his secretariat, Balen was unable to attend because he was on a visit to India.
“He has gone to participate in a reunion event at the university where he studied,” the member said. “That is why he couldn’t attend the program.”
Balen completed his postgraduate degree in Structural Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India. He is attending an event organized by alumni from the same university, which is why he missed the Indra Jatra celebration, according to the secretariat member.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Navin Manandhar, said he was not aware that Mayor Shah would be absent from Indra Jatra. “I didn’t know he wouldn’t attend. I only realized after not seeing him in the morning,” he said. “I tried calling him, but his phone was switched off.”
Another member of the Mayor’s secretariat stated that Balen had initially planned to return on Tuesday morning but was unable to. “There was a plan for him to return Tuesday morning, but I’m not sure why he didn’t,” the member added.
Kp Oli–Balen Dispute
Another source from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City claimed that Mayor Shah did not participate in Indra Jatra due to disagreements with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
The tension stems from the case of a young girl rescued from the home of UML MP Rekha Kumari Sharma, who was elected to the Lumbini Provincial Assembly from the UML. Balen has been vocal on social media, criticizing Prime Minister Oli over this issue. Shah has demanded that MP Sharma be arrested and investigated based on the girl’s statement, who was rescued on May 27.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City even submitted a formal request to the District Police Office, Kathmandu, calling for action against Sharma. However, the rescued girl’s parents have filed a case in court, accusing the Metropolitan City of kidnapping their daughter.
During this ongoing controversy involving MP Sharma, Mayor Shah's supporters also launched an "unfollow" campaign on Prime Minister Oli’s Facebook page. Previously, Balen had criticized Oli on social media in connection with the Giribandhu Tea Estate case as well.