Residents of Bhaktapur staged demonstration on Thursday in protest against the government decision to designate Hetauda as the temporary capital of Province no 3.

Mayor of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Madan Sundar Shrestha led the demonstration supported by representatives of Madhyapur Thimi, Changunarayan Municipality, Suryabinayak Municipality, elected representatives of provincial and federal parliament, leaders and cadres of various political parties, government employees, civil society and Bhaktapur residents.

Speaking at a protest rally organised in Sano Thimi, UML parliamentarian Mahesh Basnet said it was a wrong move on the government’s part to name Hetauda as the provincial capital by turning a deaf ear to the suggestions of technical team, district coordination committee and political parties. Speakers at the rally demanded that Bhaktapur district should be named as temporary capital of Province 3.

Basnet claimed that Hetauda was declared the capital under the influence of Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa. Provincial members Shashi Jung Thapa, Rajendra Man Shrestha, among others, too demanded the government declare Bhaktapur as the capital of Province 3.

A meeting of the district’s representatives, civil society, traders and businessmen held at District Coordination Committee today also demanded the government correct its decision and declare Bhaktapur as the temporary capital.