🔗 Share this article

In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Television host 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 highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The September revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position 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 nation's established political leadership. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.