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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

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

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving alleged 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 played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.