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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the formal pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

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