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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously held the posts 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

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