KATHMANDU, Oct 16: A lively exchange unfolded on Facebook late Wednesday night between social activist Iih and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen). The exchange began after activist Iih compared Mayor Shah to CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai in a social media post.
In his midnight post, activist ‘Iih’ remarked that there was little difference in the political behavior and leadership style of Balen, Oli, and Prasai. He wrote, “I say this hoping time will prove me wrong — while figures like KP, Balen, and Durga may differ ideologically on the surface, in practice, there’s not much difference. They are all willing to go to any extent to maintain their dominance.” He further emphasized the need for serious self-reflection within society to foster more evolved and dynamic leadership.
Balen to Iih: Fulfillment of your demands goes against the law
Responding to the post, Mayor Balen said that while older leaders continue to hold on to power, he has been encouraging the younger generation to step forward and take leadership. Addressing activist ‘Iih’ directly, Balen wrote, “In a country where people still want to become prime minister or party chair even at 80, I, at the age of 35, am saying—come forward and lead the country, Iih sir! Don’t think of Balen alone as a leader; you all become leaders too! I’m ready to make you the prime minister or party chair. Bring together all the new generation! I’m ready to be a cadre.”
Balen further added, “If the country is to depend solely on me, I could build it alone without a single minister. But such an approach would only make me a leader, not build the country.”
