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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case related to alleged 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 transition. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several major political leaders. These discussions included former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The message reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.