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In a notable move ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant casualties.

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

The September uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction 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 recently released 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 key player in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held consultations with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.