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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Demands

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 grievances raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released 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 viewed as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several leading political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.