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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge 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 issues raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The September uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles 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 alliance's nominee for the position 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 broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past held the positions 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several major political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.