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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth 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 younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent 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 nominee for the role 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 discontent with the country's established political class. He has previously held 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.