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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster 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 one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the imminent 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 scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has in the past 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several leading political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads 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 credible election is a collective responsibility. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.