🔗 Share this article

In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

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

The late summer revolt was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted political corruption.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks involved ex- prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.