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In a notable move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's older political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.