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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

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

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching 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 position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's older political class. He has in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with several major political leaders. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.