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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed 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 central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.