🔗 Share this article

In a notable move ahead of the upcoming general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant casualties.

"Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching 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 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 nation's older political class. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The message affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.