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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the aftermath of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host 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 issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption 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," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously served in 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 seen as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently held consultations with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.