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In a significant development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate 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 broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged 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 played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with several leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

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