🔗 Share this article

In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to 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 officially vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Consensus must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," stated Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership

According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee 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, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released 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 key figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Broader Political Consultations Taking Place

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with several major political leaders. These talks included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a safe and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.