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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

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

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed 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 was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.