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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was signed.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve 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 scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with a number of major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.