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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment 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 pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to significant casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Electoral 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. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.