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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

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

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role 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 broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released 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 central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.