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In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal 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 officially pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

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

Terms of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance'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 founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has in the past served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.