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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Concerns

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 issues raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The September revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's established political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.