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

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was sparked by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles 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 position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country'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 involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.