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In a significant development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Media figure 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 issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions 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 role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. 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 eliminate any room for doubt.