🔗 Share this article

In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the sitting 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 former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance'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 established 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 not long ago released on bail in a case related to 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 ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently held consultations with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.