KMC Mayor Balen absent in Indra Jatra; Is it a ‘boycott’?

Kathmandu: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ was not present in the special program held, on the occasion of the Indra Jatra, at Basantapur.

Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol led the ceremony in the presence of President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and other high-ranking officials on Tuesday. Deputy Mayor Dangol welcomed the President including special guests.

To globalize the festival, Mayor Shah invited foreign guests to observe Indra Jatra last year. But, this time there are claims of Balen boycotting the festival. Secretariat claimed that Mayor Shah went to Bangalore, India. just to avoid the festival.

Earlier, Mayor Shah’s supporters reached  Basantapur, by wearing t-shirts with his name and picture on them. However, the Police detained them to control the emerging chaotic scenario before the beginning of the program.

Nepali version of the news