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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

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-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by widespread anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position 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 widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 seen as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.