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In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. 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 set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.