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In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile 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 ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent 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 position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved former 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 free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.