🔗 Share this article The Himalayan nation's Electoral Landscape Sees Significant Partnership Forged By Media Personality and Ex-Rapper Mayor In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two high-profile figures in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of widespread and deadly young people's demonstrations that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government. A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Demands Media figure Rabi Lamichhane, who heads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a former rapper, have officially pledged to prioritize the grievances raised by the new generation. This promise follows the turbulent anti-graft unrest that took place in September, which led to considerable loss of life. "Consensus should not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed. The late summer uprising was triggered by widespread frustration over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for underlying discontent stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics. Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership According to the formal agreement, the positions for the approaching 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 position of prime minister in the election set for 5 March. Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old TV host, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country'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 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is seen as a central figure in Nepal's current political shift. He was instrumental in forming the interim government that came to power after the ousted administration was dissolved. Broader Political Consultations Underway In a related event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with several leading political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the heads of rival major parties, marking the initial such dialogue since the period of the uprising. After these meetings, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that conducting a credible election is a collective duty. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a safe and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.