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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent 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 officially vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee 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, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.