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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread 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 Young People's Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. 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 well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player 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 separate event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.