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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

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 underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details 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. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the nation's established political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.