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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role 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 previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held consultations with several leading political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.