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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal 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 alliance's candidate for the position 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 discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past held 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with several major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream 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 holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.