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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position 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, capturing broad discontent with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.