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In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has in the past 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 seen as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with several major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.