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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction 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 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 key figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads 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 state that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.