A political rift has widened in Arjundhara Municipality as the ward president elected from the Nepali Congress has unanimously decided to boycott all upcoming municipal meetings, citing the mayor's failure to take a firm stand on a serious allegation of caste-based discrimination involving one of their own.
The move comes in solidarity with Ward No. 5 chair Gitaraj Khadka, who has been accused of caste discrimination by an elected member from the same ward. The allegation, which has already been reported to the area police office, has not only triggered legal scrutiny but has now snowballed into a full-blown political crisis.
According to Bhishma Mishra, the spokesperson of the Nepali Congress Arjundhara and president of Ward No. 9, the decision to boycott was made under the direct instruction of the party's municipal committee. Speaking to local media at a press briefing, Mishra emphasised that the silence of Mayor Baldev Singh Gomden — elected from the CPN-UML — is fueling mistrust and deepening resentment within the council.
"The mayor's refusal to issue an official position or even acknowledge the issue signals a disturbing lack of sensitivity and leadership. In such a situation, participating in meetings would mean legitimising that silence," said Mishra.
A Politicised Allegation or a Cry for Justice?
The situation escalated when a ward member filed a formal complaint accusing President Khadka of discriminatory behaviour based on caste. While the details of the alleged incident remain under investigation, Khadka has vehemently denied the charges, branding them as "politically motivated and entirely baseless."
"This is a clear case of character assassination driven by political vendetta," Khadka stated in a written response. "There's no substance to the allegation — it's an attempt to tarnish my reputation for personal and political gain."
Supporters within the Congress camp argue that Khadka is being unfairly targeted and that the municipality leadership — particularly Mayor Gomden — is complicit through inaction. The mayor's failure to intervene, they argue, has emboldened divisive forces and weakened institutional trust.
A Deepening Divide
The controversy has exposed a growing fissure within Arjundhara's local government, where Congress-backed ward chairs constitute a majority. Despite their numerical strength, their influence appears increasingly stifled under a UML-led executive that, they claim, is non-responsive to critical issues affecting governance.
Political analysts suggest that this impasse — rooted in a volatile blend of caste identity, party rivalry, and personal grievances — threatens to paralyse local development work. With ward chairs abstaining from official municipal duties, budget discussions, infrastructure planning, and service delivery are likely to stall.
"This isn't just a political standoff. It's a governance crisis that could cost the community dearly if not addressed through dialogue," warned a local civic leader.
Calls for Dialogue and Accountability
The incident has sparked wider conversations about the politicisation of caste issues and the urgent need for ethical leadership at the grassroots level. Critics argue that while caste discrimination is a grave issue that must be addressed with zero tolerance, political actors must ensure that such claims are neither weaponised nor ignored.
Civil society organisations have urged the municipality to establish an independent inquiry to address the accusations fairly and transparently. Simultaneously, they are calling on Mayor Gomden to break his silence and engage in conflict resolution.
Without urgent intervention, the current crisis could spiral further, undermining not only the credibility of elected representatives but also the very fabric of inclusive governance in Arjundhara.
