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In a notable move ahead of next year's national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of widespread and fatal youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed 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 current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.