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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently 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 player in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.