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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The September revolt was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.