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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.