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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal 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 pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled 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 country's older political leadership. He has previously 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.