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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant casualties.

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

The late summer revolt was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has previously served in the posts 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.