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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

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

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.