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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure 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 violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held consultations with several major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.