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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader 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 popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.