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In a significant development ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent 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 role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established 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 involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, 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, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.