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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's established political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.