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In a notable move ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads 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 took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

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

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has previously served in the positions 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 central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.