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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Demands

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 grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position 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 public dissatisfaction with the nation's older 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

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

Following these discussions, 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 dedication to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.