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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, 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 fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's established political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.