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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was sparked by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve 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 set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's established political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released 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 player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of major political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.