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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, 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 fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.