🔗 Share this article

In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the sitting government.

A Pledge to Address Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the turbulent anti-graft protests that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was finalized.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and persistent allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the New Political Partnership

According to the formal pact, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will continue to serve as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, 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 fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's older political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to reported 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 shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved.

Wider Government Discussions Underway

In a related event, the current interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with a number of major political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the heads of other major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the protests.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free atmosphere for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.