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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

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

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's older political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.