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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

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

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position 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 older 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 alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several leading political leaders. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.