🔗 Share this article

In a significant move ahead of the upcoming general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

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

The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, 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 alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad 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 not long ago freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.