In a notable development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.
A Pledge to Address Young People's Demands
Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly pledged to focus on the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in significant casualties.
"Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized.
The late summer uprising was sparked by public frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics.
Terms of the Fresh Political Agreement
According to the official agreement, the roles for the approaching election have been clarified. 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 set for 5 March.
- Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad discontent with the nation's established political leadership. He has in the past served in the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case related to alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
- Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a key figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed.
Broader Political Discussions Underway
In a separate event, 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 heads of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the uprising.
Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The message reiterated the government's commitment to guaranteeing a safe and fear-free environment for the polls, adding that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.
