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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

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

"Consensus should 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 triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role 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, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case involving 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 current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message reiterated the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.