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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the formal pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the posts 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 central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.