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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The September revolt was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several leading political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial 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 duty. The message affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.