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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations 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

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was signed.

The September uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent 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 well-known 51-year-old television personality, 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 recently released on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in forming 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 held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.