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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 deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

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 issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public frustration 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 longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.