🔗 Share this article

In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns

Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.

"Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.

The late summer uprising was triggered by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics.

Terms of the Fresh Electoral Agreement

According to the formal pact, the positions for the approaching election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the leader of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position 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, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has previously held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central 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.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of leading political figures. These talks involved former prime ministers and the heads of other mainstream parties, marking the initial such gathering since the period of the protests.

After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a collective responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.