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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The September revolt was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. 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 set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.