The country marked Republic Day on Sunday without enthusiasm. The day was marked by the federal government in Army Pavilion in Kathmandu and the provincial capitals. However, it was not marked at the people's level although the government gave a public holiday. In Kathmandu, Prime Minister Deuba delivered a speech in the presence of the President, chiefs of the constitutional bodies and ministers in the morning. No rally was seen in the city. The reluctance of the people to mark Republic Day clearly suggested that they do not like the republic system. Kathmandu gets a new mayor  The people of Kathmandu Metropolitan City have outright rejected the political parties by electing a totally new face as its mayor in the local election held on May 13. Independent candidate Balendra Shah, a structural engineer and rapper, was elected to the post of the mayor by defeating the candidates of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML with a big margin. While Balen garnered 61,767 votes, his closest rival Srijana Singh of the Nepali Congress got only 38, 341. Likewise, UML candidate Keshav Sthapit got 38,117 votes. Likewise, Sunita Dangol of UML has been elected deputy mayor. Both mayor and deputy mayor are youth, probably the youngest ones ever elected as mayor and deputy mayor of the capital city. Balen is 32 years old and Dangol is 29 years old. Balen’s victory has exposed the frustration of people towards the political parties. Interestingly, Balen received the largest number of votes in almost all wards leaving a few of the core city areas. If the parties do not learn a lesson from their defeat in Kathmandu and even Dharan, the traditional parties can be cornered in the upcoming parliamentary elections, especially in Kathmandu. Meanwhile, newly elected mayor Balen and deputy mayor Dangol took the oath of office and secrecy on Monday. Chief Returning Officer Raju Kumar Khatiwada administered the oath of office and secrecy to both the mayor and deputy mayor. Shah took the oath in both Nepali and Nepal Bhasa languages while Dangol took it in Nepal Bhasa. After taking the oath, he held a meeting of the executive committee, which was broadcast live as promised by the new mayor. However, as the parties dominate the wards, it may not be easy for the new mayor to work. It was also evident from the first meeting of the executive on Monday. Nepali Congress (NC) candidates had won chairpersons of 19 out of 32 wards in Kathmandu while UML registered victory in 12 wards. CPN (Unified Socialist) won chairperson of ward 15 in KMC.