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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal 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 former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the deal was signed.

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political class. 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 involving reported 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 was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of major political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.