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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The September revolt was sparked by widespread anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.