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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

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

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

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time 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 affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.