🔗 Share this article Nepal's Electoral Landscape Sees Major Alliance Formed By TV Host and Ex-Rapper Mayor In a significant development ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance comes in the aftermath of widespread and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately led to the removal of the sitting government. A Commitment to Tackle Youth Concerns Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have publicly vowed to focus on the issues highlighted by the younger generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-corruption unrest that occurred in September, which resulted in considerable casualties. "Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was finalized. The September uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a catalyst for underlying discontent stemming from a long period of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of systemic graft in politics. Details of the Fresh Political Agreement According to the formal agreement, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's nominee for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March. Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the nation's older political class. He has previously held the positions of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago released on bail in a case involving reported cooperative fraud and organized crime. Balendra Shah (Balen): The thirty-five-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He was instrumental in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the previous administration was dissolved. Broader Government Consultations Underway In a related event, the sitting interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several major political figures. These discussions involved ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival mainstream parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the time of the protests. Following these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a free and fair election is a shared duty. The statement affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any room for doubt.