🔗 Share this article Nepal's Electoral Scene Witnesses Major Partnership Forged By TV Host and Ex-Rapper Mayor In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of high-profile personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This coalition comes in the wake of large-scale and deadly young people's demonstrations that shook the country earlier this year and eventually led to the ouster of the incumbent government. A Commitment to Address Young People's Demands Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly pledged to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the new generation. This promise comes after the violent anti-graft unrest that occurred in September, which led to significant loss of life. "Agreement must not be what a leader wants, it should be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the agreement was finalized. The September uprising was sparked by widespread anger over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper resentment stemming from a long period of slow growth and longstanding allegations of deep-rooted graft in politics. Details of the New Political Partnership According to the official pact, the positions for the imminent election have been defined. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the chairperson of the RSP. In turn, Balendra Shah will be the alliance's candidate for the role of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March. Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known 51-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread 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 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 current political transition. He played a role in setting up the interim government that took over after the previous administration was removed. Wider Government Discussions Underway In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several leading political leaders. These talks included 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 posted on social media to state that conducting a free and fair election is a collective responsibility. The statement affirmed the government's dedication to ensuring a secure and open environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to remove any uncertainty.