🔗 Share this article Nepal's Political Scene Witnesses Major Alliance Formed By Media Personality and Ex-Rapper Mayor In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the aftermath of large-scale and deadly youth-led protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the removal of the sitting government. A Commitment to Address Youth Demands Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption protests that occurred in September, which led to considerable casualties. "Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," stated Lamichhane after the deal was signed. The September revolt was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action served as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted political corruption. Details of the Fresh Electoral Partnership According to the official agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election set for 5 March. Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the country's older political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime. Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key player in Nepal's current political transition. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed. Broader Government Discussions Underway In a separate development, the sitting interim prime minister recently held meetings with a number of major political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major 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 holding a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.