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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to 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 current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.