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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the New Electoral Partnership

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to alleged 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 played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Discussions Underway

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of leading political leaders. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering 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 responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.