🔗 Share this article

In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle 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 officially vowed to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant casualties.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.

The September revolt was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions 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 popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several major political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the time of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.