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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads 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 commitment follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.