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By Our Reporter

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has, of late, been criticising Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Balendra Shah. The row between the two further deepened after Mayor Shah issued a notice urging denizens not to build any structures in 40 metres area on the bank of the Bagmati and its other tributaries as per an order of the Supreme Court.

A verdict of the apex court on December 9, 2023, had prohibited construction in an additional 20 metres area from the existing provision of 20 metres, and its full text was made public in August this year. After the full text of the verdict, Mayor Shah issued the notice hinting that he was implementing the court decision. However, his move irked the UML leaders and they opposed the move by forming a struggle committee.

The UML leaders met the leaders including Prime Minister Oli and drew his attention to the verdict.

Upon receiving the memorandum from the struggle committee on Monday, Prime Minister Oli decided to seek a vacate of the verdict. With the passing of the day, NC leaders also opposed the verdict.

Earlier, the Mayor had criticised Oli for giving protection to UML Provincial Assembly member Rekha Sharma, who, according to the KMC, had been abusing a girl child.

Now Oli often criticizes the Mayor indirectly. However, is it necessary for the PM to target a popular mayor like Balen Shah?

It is noteworthy to mention here that the UML won only one of the 10 seats in the House of Representatives in Kathmandu. Even Mahesh Basnet of Bhaktapur lost the election because of his tussle with Balen. As such, the dispute with the Mayor could become costly for the UML if the PM continues to attack Shah because most of the denizens, even if they had not voted for him in 2022, are now in favour of the Mayor.