🔗 Share this article

In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-corruption protests that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

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

The September revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. 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 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 current political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Taking Place

In a related development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with several leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a shared duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.