🔗 Share this article Nepal's Political Scene Witnesses Major Alliance Forged By TV Host and Former Musician Mayor In a significant move ahead of the upcoming national polls, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition emerges in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the incumbent government. A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially vowed to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which led to significant loss of life. "Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the agreement was signed. The September uprising was sparked by public frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic political corruption. Terms of the New Electoral Partnership According to the formal agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role 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, channeling broad discontent 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 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 seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed. Broader Government Discussions Taking Place In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions involved former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such dialogue since the period of the protests. After these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a shared responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a safe and open environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.