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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

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

The September revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson 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 well-known 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad discontent with the nation's older political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.