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In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt 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 political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed 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 figure in Nepal's current political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Political Discussions Taking Place

In a separate development, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.