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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. 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 set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently 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 key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with several major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.