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In a notable 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 widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

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

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.