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In a notable move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has previously held 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.