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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

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

The September revolt was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's established political leadership. He has previously held the positions 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

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

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