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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge 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 raised by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The September revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee 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 founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently 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 key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.