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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting 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 officially vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official 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 alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 viewed as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of major political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.