Minister of Communication calls Mayor Balen Maharaj
Kathmandu, November 27
Balen Shah, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and the second-largest party in parliament, the CPN-UML, have clashed again following a recent road show in Durbarmarg.
In response to the country's growing anarchy, the UML held a show of strength at Durbar Marg, the city's heart, known as the Jagaran, or reawakening programme.
In a dramatic turn, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung referred to KMC Mayor Balen Shah as an emperor (Maharaj).
Last Friday, November 22, KMC issued a letter demanding a Rs 100,000 fine from the ruling party CPN-UML for littering during a Jagaran programme on Durbar Marg in Kathmandu, but the CPN-UML has yet to pay the fine.
While leaders such as UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel claim that Balen is being mobilised against the UML, Communications Minister Gurung, who is also the UML's Deputy General Secretary, has expressed his hostility towards Balen.
In an interview with Kantipur Television, Gurung, who is also the government's spokesperson, stated that Balen lacks the authority to seek fines from UML.
"Where did he get the authority to seek a Rs 100,000 fine from UML? Can Kathmandu's mayor be allowed to do something like that? He asked, "Who is he, Maharaj (emperor)?"
KMC stated in its notice that the penalty was imposed under the Waste Management Act of 2011 and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Finance Act of 2024.
A letter to the UML party office, signed by Kathmandu Metropolitan City's Municipal Police Inspector Lila Raj Gachha, stated: "On the occasion of holding the awareness assembly on the open road in Durbar Marg, Ward No. 1, Kathmandu, on November 22, 2024, you caused environmental pollution by carelessly leaving garbage on the road and pavement. Thus, a fine of 100,000 rupees has been imposed in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Act and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Financial Act."
CPN-UML has refused to pay the fine, claiming that Balen is biassed against them.
Gurung also stated in the interview that there is an atmosphere in which anything Balen says is correct. Minister Gurung claimed that Balen is mobilised against UML.
Littering at party rallies or any occasions, on the other hand, has been strictly enforced by KMC. It fined the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Rs 5222 on April 9 for littering during a similar kind of rally in Bhrikutimandap.
Response from a spokesperson of the government: Gurung has also riled netizens. Rohit on 'X' said two faces of this government and wrote, "KMC fines RPP for littering the roads during protest." Good. "KMC fines UML for littering the roads during the protest. How dare Balen do this? It's an insult to UML."His post further reads. Two faces of this government."
Sashi Bista comment reads, "I am amazed by these so-called large political parties, Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Pay fines and be law-abiding in the public eyes."
However, this is not the first time UML and Balen are in a spat; it's a long feud. Previously, Balen has accused PM Oli of corruption in Giri Bandhu Tea Estate in Jhapa, manipulating policy.
KMC and UML later clashed over a pavement widening issue in Newroad. Balen chastised Prime Minister Oli again in September for providing political protection to CPN-UML lawmaker Rekha Sharma in a child rights abuse case. Then there was a feud between KMC and UML over implementing the Supreme Court's decision to vacate the Bagamati river banks.