Apr 10, Kathmandu- Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) has not been in the office for a week.

Balen has stopped coming to the office since Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain arrived at the office on 21 Chaitra.

Balen had placed Guragain under undeclared suspension for illegally approving the map of Kathmandu View Tower. However, after intense pressure from Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, ward chairpersons, employees, and the federal government, Guragain appeared in the office after about four months.

Balen, on the other hand, was in favor of not allowing Guragain to appear under any circumstances. Balen had even tried to stop Guragai by using the city police force.

Balen, who learned that the entire metropolis, except for him, was in favor of having Guragain appear, reached Kavrepalanchok on 21 Chaitra.

Balen stopped coming to the office after Guragain appeared against his stance. Balen had gone to Bhairawahiti on 27 Chaitra without coming to the office.

According to a metropolitan source, Mayor Balen has been 'either at home or monitoring or meeting without coming to the office' for the past one week. Balen is not scheduled to come to the office until Guragain is transferred.