KATHMANDU: Former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah paid a brief visit to Urlabari, his in-laws’ hometown, and returned shortly afterward, leaving some local supporters and activists dissatisfied.
During his visit, Shah met a few local leaders and members of the public. However, local activists said the visit was shorter than expected and lacked broader interaction, leading to disappointment among supporters who had hoped for more time and discussion.
According to local activists, many people had expected an opportunity to meet Shah and engage in open dialogue after learning of his arrival in Urlabari. The limited nature of the visit and the absence of a formal interaction program left several supporters frustrated.
“We thought we would get a chance to openly share our views since it is his in-laws’ area, but there simply wasn’t enough time,” a local activist said.
Despite the brief engagement, Shah reportedly highlighted the importance of good governance, transparency and citizen participation during his interactions. He stressed that meaningful change is possible only when local governments are strengthened.
He also spoke against unnecessary expenditure in the name of development and urged citizens to remain vigilant against irregularities and misgovernance.
Shah’s visit and short stay in Urlabari have also drawn attention on social media. While some users have attributed the limited time to his busy schedule, others have commented that he should have spent more time engaging with people in his in-laws’ region.
Shah is said to have returned after limited observation and interactions during his brief stay in Urlabari.
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