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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.