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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The September uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of leading political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.