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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to 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, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.