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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread anger 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 slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent 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 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently held consultations with a number of major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.