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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads 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 follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain 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 fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released 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 central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several major political leaders. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.