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In a notable move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, 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 TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.