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In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

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 promise comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, 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 fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to reported 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 setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.