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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was sparked by widespread anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently 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 seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held consultations with several major political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

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