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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee 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, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past served in 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 key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with several major political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the initial 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 ensuring a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.