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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve 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 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 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 player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.