Nepal TV Host Rabi Lamichhane Forms Alliance with Kathmandu Mayor for March Election After Youth Protests
Rabi Lamichhane, a 51-year-old TV host and chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has formed an alliance with Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, also known as Balen, to contest the election scheduled for 5 March. Lamichhane will remain as party chair, while Shah has been designated as the prime ministerial candidate.
This alliance comes in the wake of deadly youth-led protests in September that resulted in at least 77 deaths. The unrest was triggered by a social media ban amid widespread economic stagnation and corruption allegations. The pact is aimed at addressing the demands of Nepal's younger generation highlighted by these protests.
Balendra Shah, a prominent figure in Nepal's ongoing political transition, previously helped to form the interim government following the ousting of former Prime Minister Oli. Lamichhane, who established the RSP in 2022 by capitalizing on public dissatisfaction with Nepal’s elderly leadership, has held positions as deputy premier and interior minister. He was recently released on bail related to a cooperative fraud and organized crime case.
In response to the protests, Chief Justice Sushila Karki held consultations with key political leaders including former Prime Minister Oli, Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, and NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal. These were the first such meetings since the uprising. Chief Justice Karki emphasized that the upcoming election is a shared responsibility and affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a free and fear-free electoral environment.
