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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded 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 not long ago freed on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.