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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling 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 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 key player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.