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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position 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, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. 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 related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.