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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle 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 issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 popular 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously held the posts 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. 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.