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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Demands

Media figure 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 grievances raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was sparked by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.