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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Demands

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 highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader 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, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed 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 viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.