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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The September revolt was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving 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 was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.