KATHMANDU: Following a post by Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), a fierce debate has emerged on social media. Shah alleged in his post that CPN-UML provincial member Rekha Sharma had misrepresented the child's employment status as a domestic worker and had been abusing a young girl for eight years. Shah chastised Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for not ensuring justice and denounced the administration for its passivity in the face of a court order to prosecute Sharma.
In just a few hours, the post received nearly 103,000 likes, 16,200 comments, and 8,800 shares, demonstrating its broad appeal. A large number of online users have expressed their displeasure with CPN-UML and its leaders, expressing outrage over the purported abuse and calling for responsibility. In a noteworthy remark, Prime Minister Oli was asked to go beyond political rhetoric in addressing these pressing challenges and instead concentrate on guaranteeing the safety and independence of all women and girls.
The controversy also ties into a broader political dispute involving a 7-point memorandum submitted by the CPN-UML Kathmandu District Committee to Mayor Shah. The memorandum opposed a KMC decision to prohibit construction on land beyond a specified distance, accusing the KMC of misinterpreting a Supreme Court order and threatening serious consequences if the decision is not reversed.
This situation has exacerbated tensions between Shah and CPN-UML, reflecting ongoing conflicts involving political figures and administrative decisions. The exchange has drawn significant social media engagement, continuing a pattern of public disputes between Shah and prominent political leaders, including earlier controversies related to alleged financial scandals and infrastructure disputes.
