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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the formal pact, the positions 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 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 established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of leading political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.