chapotraphouse

I wish things were things simple in Nepal. The problem of squatters is a long one which involves lots of conflicting interest.

I think he focused on that area because people living in those slum were demanding the right of the land that was a part of Bagmati river parameter. He wanted the people to move from the rive bank since its also very dangerous area. That's why the land was still empty which was slowly turned into a slum. and well he was right, so there was little backlash from his action.

When the Metropolitan Police Force arrived to clear the settlement around the Bagmati river perimeter, they were meet with violence but did not receive any support from the government forces. Since then, the metropolis has not taken another initiative to remove these settlements. Balen Shah has accused PM KP Oli of using slum as a vote bank. Its a common strategy for political parties to use the poor living in slums for padding up their protests and programs by promising them alcohol and food.

According to a research conducted by Kathmandu Development Authority, more than 60% of people living in slums have a home and land in a different place. Slums in kathmandu has a very long and messy history. None of it has been solved for more than 40 years and can not except Balen to do it alone.

Also Balen Shah is popular because of his achievement even with the political establishment's continuous sabotage. He had to fight tooth and nail every one of his action yet still managed to achieve more than all of his predecessors that were part of one political party or other. He did more in a year a improve Kathmandu's situation that most other Mayor's entire term.

His biggest feat was waste management in Kathmandu which was again heavily politicized by the federal government. And a lot lot more. Even other Mayors were encouraged by his action and acted on urban management so his popularity increased from just the Kathmandu city to a national level.