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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

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 longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. 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 player in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider 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 talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.