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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the sitting 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 officially pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral 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 alliance'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 founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation'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 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 transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several major political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.