🔗 Share this article

In a notable move ahead of the upcoming general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the removal 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 focus on the issues raised by the new generation. This promise comes after the turbulent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life.

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

The late summer uprising was sparked by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics.

Details of the Fresh Political Partnership

According to the official pact, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has previously held 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 viewed as a central figure in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was removed.

Wider Government Consultations Taking Place

In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted consultations with a number of leading political figures. These talks included former prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The message reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, adding that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.