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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of widespread and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal 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 one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread discontent with the nation's older political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case related to reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.