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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, 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 candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past held the posts 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.