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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

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

The September revolt was triggered by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position 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 in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of leading political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.