In a significant move ahead of next year's general election, two high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the aftermath of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that shook the country earlier this year and eventually resulted in the ouster of the sitting government.
A Pledge to Address Youth Concerns
Media figure 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 unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable casualties.
"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was finalized.
The September revolt was sparked by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and persistent accusations of systemic political corruption.
Terms of the Fresh Political Partnership
According to the official pact, the roles 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 candidate for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.
- Rabi Lamichhane: A popular 51-year-old TV host, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing widespread public dissatisfaction with the country's older political leadership. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently released on bail in a case involving 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 ongoing political transition. He was instrumental in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed.
Wider Government Consultations Underway
In a separate event, the current interim prime minister over the weekend conducted meetings with a number of major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such gathering since the time of the protests.
Following these meetings, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective duty. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and open environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.
