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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, 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 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad 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 related to 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 played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.