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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's 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 prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role 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 older political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently held consultations with a number of leading political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.