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Summary:

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah has been nominated as the prime ministerial candidate for Nepal’s upcoming March 5th elections. This follows a pact with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), where Shah will lead as the prime ministerial face while Rabi Lamichhane will remain chairperson. Shah’s group will contest under the RSP’s election symbol, and the agreement reflects a commitment to addressing the concerns of Nepal’s Gen Z, who led a significant anti-corruption movement. The alliance is seen as a major step toward uniting youth-led political forces, though other new parties are still considering joining.

News Article:

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah to Run for Prime Minister in Landmark Alliance

Kathmandu, Nepal – December 28, 2025 – In a move shaking up Nepali politics, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah has been nominated as the prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming March 5th elections. This nomination follows a landmark agreement between Shah and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the fourth-largest party in the now-dissolved House of Representatives.

The seven-point agreement, finalized after extensive negotiations, designates 35-year-old Shah as the parliamentary party leader and the face of the RSP’s campaign for prime minister. Rabi Lamichhane will remain the party’s chairperson. Shah and his supporters will contest the elections using the RSP’s “Bell” election symbol.

“This consensus should reflect the needs of the country rather than the ambitions of individual leaders,” Lamichhane stated in a Facebook post announcing the agreement.

The alliance signifies a commitment to addressing the concerns of Nepal’s younger generation. The agreement explicitly states that both sides “have taken ownership of the movement launched by the younger generation against corruption and bad governance,” promising to address the demands raised by Gen Z protesters, especially those injured during recent demonstrations.

Political analysts believe this pact could unite emerging youth-led political forces that spearheaded the September movement, which ultimately led to the fall of the K.P. Sharma Oli government. The RSP anticipates a surge in support from Gen Z voters following this alliance.

While the deal is significant, another newly formed group, the Ujyalo Nepal Party (UNP) led by Energy and Water Resources Minister Kulman Ghising, is still deliberating on whether to join the coalition. Negotiations are ongoing.

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