Balendra Shah: A Mayor Lost in Power?

In the busy world of Nepali politics, one person has really captured people’s attention and has been making headlines daily – Balendra Shah. He has become well-known for quickly gaining power and making some controversial decisions as the young mayor. Some people admire him, while others worry about what he might do next.

As the votes were counted in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayoral elections in May 2022, it became clear that Balendra Shah was winning by a significant margin. He had a charm that appealed to both older and younger people, and he assumed the mayoral position amidst much excitement and celebration. However, as time passed, things began to change, and questions arose regarding the true nature of his leadership.

Is Balen Shah a symbol of youthful energy, or simply someone who employs force aggressively? Recent events indicate the second one. Reports of his city security personnel attacking street vendors in Sundhara have disturbed those who believe in justice and adherence to the law. The same mayor who once stood against old party politics now appears unconcerned about the struggles of the poor.

Balendra Shah is indeed implementing positive measures to combat pollution and prevent unauthorized construction. But, it’s not okay that he’s not thinking about the people who sell things on the streets. He’s hurting their businesses by being too harsh with them. This could make them even poorer. It’s surprising because Balendra Shah used to sing songs supporting the poor. Now, it seems like he’s forgotten about them.

Definitely, Kathmandu is cleaner now and seems more organized. But as a leader chosen by the people, he should also make sure everyone can make a living. Shouldn’t a mayor care about everyone in the city, not just a few?

Maybe Balendra Shah should think about what he’s doing and how it affects people. Genuine progress means uplifting the marginalized, not marginalizing them further. As citizens, we should make sure our leaders do their job and remember they’re here to help everyone, not just a few rich people.

As Kathmandu tries to improve, let’s hope Balendra Shah remembers to be fair, kind, and include everyone. Only if he follows these values can he be a mayor people can respect and trust.

Leaders need to remember they’re here to make everyone’s lives better. Maybe Balendra Shah needs to stop and think about what’s really important. Only then can he do what the people of Kathmandu want.