🔗 Share this article Nepal's Electoral Scene Sees Major Partnership Forged By TV Host and Ex-Rapper Mayor In a notable development ahead of next year's general election, a pair of prominent personalities in Nepali politics have teamed up. This coalition emerges in the wake of large-scale and fatal young people's protests that rocked the country earlier this year and ultimately resulted in the ouster of the sitting government. A Pledge to Tackle Young People's Concerns Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have officially pledged to focus on the issues raised by the new generation. This commitment comes after the violent anti-graft protests that occurred in September, which resulted in significant loss of life. "Consensus should not be as the leader seeks, it must be what the nation requires," remarked Lamichhane following the deal was signed. The late summer uprising was sparked by public anger over a temporary government ban on social media platforms. This action acted as a catalyst for deeper resentment stemming from years of economic stagnation and longstanding accusations of deep-rooted graft in politics. Details of the Fresh 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. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March. Rabi Lamichhane: A popular fifty-one-year-old television personality, he established the RSP in 2022, channeling widespread discontent with the country's established political class. He has previously served in the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was recently 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 seen as a key player in Nepal's ongoing political transition. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that came to power after the ousted administration was removed. Broader Government Discussions Taking Place In a separate event, the sitting interim prime minister recently conducted consultations with several major political figures. These discussions included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of other major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the protests. After these discussions, the prime minister took to social media to emphasize that holding a credible election is a collective duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the polls, noting that efforts are being made to remove any room for doubt.