🔗 Share this article

In a significant development ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Address Youth 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 younger generation. This commitment follows the turbulent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The September uprising was triggered by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

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

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.