🔗 Share this article

In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

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

The September uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position 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 country's older political leadership. He has previously held the posts 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.