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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

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

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past served in the posts 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.