Nepal, Feb. 3 -- Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) positioned himself as a champion of the impoverished during his mayoral campaign for the May 13 local elections last year. 'Garib ko chameli bolidine kohi chhaina' (there is no one to speak for the poor!). The remix rap version of this popular song sung by KMC Mayor Shah was widely circulated on social media and in the door to door canvassing. There is no denying that the emotionally-charged song garnered significant support for Shah during the local elections.

However, his actions have since revealed a stark contrast to his rhetoric, leaving the urban poor of Kathmandu feeling disillusioned and let down. By imposing a ban on street vending without providin...