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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political leaders. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.