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In a notable move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and fatal youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles 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 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 established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past held 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time 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 responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.