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In a significant development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

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