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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, 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 recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.