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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the imminent 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 candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has in the past 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political leaders. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.