🔗 Share this article

In a notable development ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of widespread and deadly youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable loss of life.

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

The late summer revolt was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident served as a spark for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older 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 key player in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in forming the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently held meetings with several leading political leaders. These discussions included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.