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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal 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 party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation'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 related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of major political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.