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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of 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 ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain 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 well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older 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 current political shift. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held consultations with a number of leading political leaders. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated 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.