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In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment 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 prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson 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 well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed 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 was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.