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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position 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, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past served in the positions 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 viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.