🔗 Share this article

In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position 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, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. He has previously 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 thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The message affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.