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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of widespread and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party'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 broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older 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 involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several major political leaders. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.