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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.