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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst 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 imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously held 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of leading political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.