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

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

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 issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The September revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, 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 founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's older political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case involving reported 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 forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.