🔗 Share this article

In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The September revolt was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.

Details of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role 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 established political class. He has previously served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player 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 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 initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.