May 24, Kathmandu- Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah has launched a new strategy after asking for an explanation from City Police Chief Rajunath Pandey. The clarification was sought after the opinion of Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, ward chairmen of Nepali Congress and UML, department heads and most of the high-ranking employees.

The Mayor's Secretariat has asked KMC-17 Chairman and Spokesperson Navin Manandhar for an explanation to divert the issue and refute the allegations made against him. The clarification letter signed by the acting head of the Secretariat, Shanta Pahadi, on the instructions of Mayor Shah, states that he has made baseless, misleading and regrettable statements about the personal character of KMC Mayor Shah.

On Chaitra 22, after a member of the mayor's secretariat released a 17-second video alleging that Mayor Shah's secretariat had demanded Rs 50 million from three ward chairmen of the Nepali Congress regarding the Kathmandu Tower, spokesperson Manandhar, one of the angry ward chairmen, gave interviews to various media outlets protesting the mayor's wrongdoings.

After the executive meeting could not be held for four months, on Chaitra 10, Nepali Congress-affiliated Chairman Manandhar of 17, Chairman Ashaman Sangat of 8, and Khyam Tiwari of 26 submitted a memorandum to Mayor Shah.

When the memorandum was submitted to the mayor's office, everyone demanded an executive meeting. Spokesperson Manandhar had urged Mayor Shah not to take unilateral decisions in the absence of the Chief Administrative Officer, saying that the metropolis was in chaos.

Ward chairmen Sangat and Tiwari had also raised the same issue. In a separate incident, there was a heated debate over the financial transactions of Kathmandu Tabor, and at that time, the construction company was accused of offering the ward chairperson Rs 50 million. When the issue of bargaining by the ward chairperson was raised, all the ward chairpersons said that they were trying to settle the dispute by making accusations about something that did not exist.

The ward chairman expressed his anger, saying that instead of following market rumors, we should discuss the real issues and it was wrong to accuse anyone. Immediately, the ward chairman drew the mayor's attention to the fact that advisors from the mayor's secretariat had started making financial transactions.

The mayor's secretariat recorded the same controversial issue and started campaigning on social media, accusing the ward chairman of demanding Rs 50 million. We had spoken for a long time, and on Chaitra 22, a 17-second footage was posted on social media to defame us, said a ward chairman. After the mayor and his secretariat started defaming and raising issues that were not happening, spokesperson Manandhar gave an interview to the media about Mayor Shah's latest controversial activities.

Based on the same issue, the Mayor's Secretariat sought clarification from spokesperson Manandhar on the 8th. The clarification states that serious attention has been drawn to the objectionable comments made in Mayor Shah's private life and even to his public reputation.

"It is also reminded that it is not polite to make such baseless, informal and unwarranted statements in public, especially from a person holding a dignified position like a public representative elected by the people," the clarification asks.

The clarification states, "You have gone beyond the limits of freedom of expression and committed acts of personal character assassination, defamation, and serious damage to social reputation, which are considered criminal and punishable by law under the Criminal Code of Nepal 2074 BS. Therefore, I request you to submit a written commitment to the Chief within 7 days, including an admission of guilt, to refrain from such activities in the future."

Regarding the clarification sought, spokesperson Manandhar said, “Clarification has been received. I will provide clarification after receiving the letter. Apart from that, I will not say anything else.” Mayor Shah has sought clarification to take revenge after removing four committee coordinators, including Manandhar, from Jestha 1. Angry after three of the new coordinators refused to take up the post, Mayor Shah has sought clarification from the spokesperson. The coordinators had stated that they would not remain in office without the executive’s decision. All of them had jointly signed and stated that they would not remain in office.

According to a high-ranking source, it is understood that Mayor Shah has asked the spokesperson for an explanation to pressure Police Chief Raju Pandey not to take action. Police Chief Pandey will complete a week tomorrow, Monday. After Police Chief Pandey gives the first round of explanation, what further action will be taken? The Chief Administrative Officer Secretariat will further decide on the matter.

A new issue has entered the metropolis after Chief Administrative Officer Gurragain asked Police Chief Pandey and Mayor Shah asked Spokesperson Manandhar for clarification. At a time when policies and programs have to be passed and the budget made public within a month, the conflict within the KMC has become hilarious.