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In a significant development ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed 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 current political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The message reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.