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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure 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 raised by the new generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released 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 central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The message reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.