KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is currently vying for the chairmanship of the CPN-UML, recently invited Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) to her residence for a meeting.

The details of their discussion have not been officially disclosed, but sources close to the matter suggest the meeting primarily centered on the persistent delays in approving the Metropolitan City’s budget.

Mayor Balen is known to have an uneasy relationship with the CPN-UML and its Chairperson and Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli.

This complex dynamic adds a layer of political intrigue to the encounter between the two leaders.

Insiders speculate that the conversation may also have touched upon the broader political developments currently shaping the national landscape.

The meeting, arranged through connections within the UML, signals Bhandari’s growing political engagement following her announcement to seek the UML chairmanship.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has yet to pass its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, partly due to ongoing disagreements between administrative officials and executive members.