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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which led to considerable casualties.

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

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. 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 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 established political class. He has previously 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 viewed as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.