KATHMANDU: A political standoff gripped Kathmandu Metropolitan City as employees and ward chairpersons defied Mayor Balen Shah’s efforts to bar Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain from resuming his duties, forcing him into the office despite city police intervention.
Mayor Shah had deployed municipal police officers led by Rajunath Pandey to block his entry. However, employees and ward chairpersons, who have been demanding Guragain’s return for months, managed to escort him into the office despite resistance.
This marks the end of a nearly three-month-long absence for Guragain, whose return has been a contentious issue among city officials. However, while he has managed to enter the building, his office remains locked, leaving uncertainty over his ability to resume work.
The tension between KMC leadership and administrative staff has been escalating, with employees complaining about salary delays and operational disruptions.
Some ward chairpersons have accused the city police of overstepping their role by taking orders directly from the mayor instead of working under the elected people’s representatives.
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