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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's established political leadership. He has in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.