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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Media figure 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 highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. 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 set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.