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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus 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 triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has in the past held the posts 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 seen as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.