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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain 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 well-known fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has previously held the posts 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.