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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's older political class. 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 related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.