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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

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

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the country's established political class. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released 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 player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.