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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

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

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader 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 fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several leading political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.