🔗 Share this article

In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host 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 raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

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

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain 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 fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's older political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case involving 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 setting up the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.