🔗 Share this article

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

A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the formal pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has in the past 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held 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 took to social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.