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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past held the posts 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 player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.