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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the formal 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 set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to 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 came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.