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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's established political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

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