🔗 Share this article

In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

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

"Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the agreement was signed.

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a catalyst for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official pact, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. 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 well-known 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political leadership. 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 player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Underway

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held consultations with a number of leading political leaders. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.