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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by widespread anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral 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. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.