🔗 Share this article

In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Commitment to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

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

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has in the past served in 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Broader Government Discussions Taking Place

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of major political leaders. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

After these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that holding a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.