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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The September revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has previously served in the positions 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 seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political leaders. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.