KATHMANDU: Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balendra Shah, has come under criticism after he allegedly threw a garland at the statue of late Madhesh leader Gajendra Narayan Singh without stepping out of his vehicle during a visit to Rajbiraj on Tuesday.
Shah, who arrived in Rajbiraj, the district headquarters of Saptari, as part of his election campaign for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, was seen waving to supporters from a sunroof-equipped vehicle. As his convoy reached Gajendra Chowk, where the statue of Gajendra Narayan Singh is located, Shah remained inside the vehicle and tossed the garland towards the statue before moving on.
Hundreds of locals and RSP supporters had gathered along the streets since morning, expecting Shah to get down at Gajendra Chowk and formally pay tribute to the revered Madhesh leader. However, Shah did not step out of the vehicle or stop at the party office, which reportedly left many supporters disappointed.
Gajendra Narayan Singh, popularly known as Gajendra Babu, is regarded as a highly respected figure in Madhesh politics. Shah had been provided with a garland for the purpose of paying tribute, but his decision to throw it from the vehicle rather than offering it in person sparked criticism and anger among sections of the public.
Supporters who had waited for hours expressed dissatisfaction, saying the act fell short of the respect they had expected. The incident has since triggered wider political reactions.
Meanwhile, Nagarik Unmukti Party leader Jibachh Yadav objected strongly to Shah’s action, stating that it amounted to an insult to the soil, sentiments and ideals of Madhesh.
“In Rajbiraj, throwing a garland from a vehicle at the statue of a leader of Gajendra Narayan Singh’s stature is not a mistake anymore—it appears to be a deliberate act,” Yadav said. “Was it too much to ask for two minutes to step out of the vehicle to pay respect?”
He also questioned Shah’s conduct as a former mayor of Kathmandu, saying that garlanding a statue is a symbol of reverence, not a display of target practice.
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