KATHMANDU: Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Harka Raj Rai Sampang has lashed out at Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, accusing him of hiding during the national crisis and failing to take to the streets.
Sampang, who arrived in Kathmandu as the Nepal Army initiated consultations for an interim government following the Gen-Z protests, said he was ready to lead the country himself. However, observers say the Army is unlikely to endorse him. On Wednesday, he met Chief of Army Staff Ashokraj Sigdel at the Army headquarters.
Without naming Shah directly, Sampang criticized him on Facebook Thursday, calling him “a coward who hides during crises, avoids the streets, shifts responsibility to others, and expects others to carry him.” He said such leadership had left the country without progress or a way forward.
While some youths have urged Shah to lead the interim government, he has instead backed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki for the post. Shah has reportedly advised aspirants like Sampang to prepare themselves for the next five years.
Shah is also preparing to establish his own political party and is said to be eyeing the position of directly elected executive prime minister in the future.
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