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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle 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 pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson 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 founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective 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 eliminate any uncertainty.