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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain 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 established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged 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 forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of leading political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.