Chiri Babu Maharjan

Chiri Babu Maharjan again ran for mayor in 2022's Local Elections of Nepal. This time Maharjan secured 42,722 votes while his close contender Hari Krishna Byanjankar of CPN-UML received 24,560 votes.

He won the election and was sworn in on 16 May 2022 as the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, along with Manjali Shakya Maharjan as his deputy.

During the World Cities Day 2020, Maharjan quoted, " In line with this goal, we have already built 5.25 km of bicycle lanes to link the northern and southern parts of the city....Thanks to this, the air pollution in the city has greatly improved and with that the health and well-being of our citizens."

Chiri Babu Maharjan (Nepali: चिरी बाबु महर्जन) is a Nepali politician serving as the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City since 2017. A member of the Nepali Congress since 1989, he won the local elections of the then Lalitpur Municipality in the years 1981, 1987, and 1992, and consequently served as a Ward Chairperson of the 03-Ward for three times.

Chiri Babu Maharjan decided to run for Mayor in 2017's Local Election of Nepal. Maharjan when asked about the election tells that," The party chief Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba initially doubted on me, and questioned on my winning. And in response, I told him that if I lost the election then I would give him one hundred thousand rupees. But if I win then he had to give me a hundred rupees only." The local elections were held successfully and Maharjan won by a total vote of 24,642, which was 27.62% of the total votes cast. Then Maharjan was officially sworn in as the Mayor of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City on 24 May 2017, along with Geeta Satyal as his deputy.

Maharjan continued his studies by working as a daily wage worker. After the sixth grade, it became difficult for him to continue his education, but the founder of Gyanodaya Bal Batika Mrs. Indira Yakthumba decided to support his education up to 10th Standard.

He also served as the Chairman of Jyapu Samaj Organization, which is a leading social organization (estd. September 10, 1994) with a mission to preserve and develop ethnic language, culture and to guarantee the social, economic and political rights of more than thirty thousand indigenous Jyapu (indigenous farmer) population within Patan city, working actively in the Lalitpur district.

The third time as the Ward Chairperson in 1992 was a new start as this local election was held after the removal of the Panchayat System, and introduction of Multiparty Democratic System in Nepal. After working as the chairman for three times, Maharjan decided to stand for the Mayoral elections in the year 1997, but his candidacy was rejected by his party.

Chiri Babu Maharjan took interest into politics in the later phase of his youth. His youth days were inspired by social welfare campaigns, but later became the member of the Nepali Congress in 1989, which officially started his political career.

The second win as the Ward Chairperson in 1987 had a strong impact. Just after two years and half, he resigned from the post and became actively involved in the people's revolution. Then changed the social-activist status of Maharjan as he joined the Nepali congress party the same year, which officially embarked on his political career.

Maharjan was born in Lalitpur, Nepal. After completing his Master's in Commerce from Tribhuvan University in 1984/5, Maharjan continued his political career by involving in socio-political activism. His political interest was driven in the later years of his youth, but initially he showcased interest in social work.

Chiri Babu married Mishri Maharjan in 1981. Maharjan has a son and two daughters. Both of his daughters are involved in NGOs and his son's family is residing in Atlanta, USA. His wife worked in the administrative wing of Gyanodaya School. During a small interview with Nagarik Dainik, Chiri Babu mentions, "My wife Mishri has a very valuable significance throughout my political and social career".

His first win as the Ward Chairperson in 1981 was amongst eight candidates. This local election was held after the adoption of the improved Panchayat System in the politics of Nepal.

His dedication and hard work from the early age shaped his future academics. Maharjan showcased his interest in politics when he took part in socio-political activism while studying in 10th standard. After passing the secondary level with good marks in the mid-1970s, he started working, but also continued his higher studies. He completed his Intermediate in Commerce from the Public Youth Campus, Bachelor's in Commerce from Patan Campus and Master's in the Commerce from Tribhuvan University Kirtipur.

Chiri Babu Maharjan was born on 1 December 1957, in the Lalitpur District of Nepal to the family of a Newari Farmer. His ancestral house, where he spent his childhood days, is situated in the Pulchowk Area of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City.