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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, 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 eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case involving reported 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 was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of leading political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The message 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 room for doubt.