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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The September uprising was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently 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 viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.