🔗 Share this article

In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

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

Details of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles 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 candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in 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 seen as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.