🔗 Share this article

In a significant move ahead of next year's national polls, a pair of high-profile figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This alliance comes in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government.

A Pledge to Tackle Youth Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life.

"Agreement should not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized.

The September uprising was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted 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 party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's established political class. 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 related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was removed.

Broader Government Consultations Underway

In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend held meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the uprising.

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 ensuring a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.