🔗 Share this article Nepal's Political Landscape Witnesses Major Alliance Forged Between Media Personality and Former Musician Mayor In a significant development ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the incumbent government. A Commitment to Address Youth Concerns Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the issues raised by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in significant loss of life. "Agreement must not be as the leader seeks, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized. The September revolt was sparked by public anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics. Terms of the New Electoral Partnership According to the formal agreement, the roles for the imminent election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March. Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political leadership. He has in the past held the positions 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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central player in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved. Broader Government Discussions Underway In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with a number of leading political figures. These discussions included former prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the first such gathering since the period of the protests. Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to state that holding a credible election is a shared responsibility. The statement reiterated the government's dedication to guaranteeing a secure and open atmosphere for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.