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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the nation's established political class. 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 related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.