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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve 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 fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's established political class. He has previously served in the positions 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.