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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political class. He has in the past served in the posts 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political leaders. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.