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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released 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 central player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.