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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after 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 acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has in the past 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.