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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

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 unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader 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 TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with a number of major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.