A former rapper turned Kathmandu mayor has joined forces with a prominent television host to challenge the status quo ahead of Nepal's next year election, following a deadly youth-led uprising earlier this year.
Television personality Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah, 35, who rose to fame as a rapper before becoming the city mayor, have forged an alliance amidst growing frustration among Nepalese youth over years of economic stagnation and corruption.
At least 77 people lost their lives during September's deadly protests, triggered by a brief ban on social media, which followed public discontentment after allegations of entrenched political corruption.
The unlikely duo has agreed to address the demands of younger generation who are feeling disenfranchised from Nepal's old guard politicians. The pact sees Lamichhane remaining chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra party and Shah as the prime ministerial candidate for the 5 March election.
Lamichhane described their approach, saying "Consensus should not be the leader's focus but rather what the country needs".
Rabi Lamichhane, a popular television host in Nepal, founded the Rastriya Swatantra party in 2022 as part of widespread discontent among Nepalese youth with aging politicians. He recently secured bail after facing fraud and organized crime charges.
Meanwhile, Shah was involved in forming the interim government following KP Sharma Oli's ouster.
Their election alliance comes just days after Sushila Karki met prominent leaders from various parties to discuss the 2024 elections amid growing discontent with Nepal's current political leadership.
Television personality Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah, 35, who rose to fame as a rapper before becoming the city mayor, have forged an alliance amidst growing frustration among Nepalese youth over years of economic stagnation and corruption.
At least 77 people lost their lives during September's deadly protests, triggered by a brief ban on social media, which followed public discontentment after allegations of entrenched political corruption.
The unlikely duo has agreed to address the demands of younger generation who are feeling disenfranchised from Nepal's old guard politicians. The pact sees Lamichhane remaining chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra party and Shah as the prime ministerial candidate for the 5 March election.
Lamichhane described their approach, saying "Consensus should not be the leader's focus but rather what the country needs".
Rabi Lamichhane, a popular television host in Nepal, founded the Rastriya Swatantra party in 2022 as part of widespread discontent among Nepalese youth with aging politicians. He recently secured bail after facing fraud and organized crime charges.
Meanwhile, Shah was involved in forming the interim government following KP Sharma Oli's ouster.
Their election alliance comes just days after Sushila Karki met prominent leaders from various parties to discuss the 2024 elections amid growing discontent with Nepal's current political leadership.
Can you believe a former rapper turned mayor is teaming up with a TV host to shake things up in Nepal? Sounds like a match made in heaven... or at least in a really good episode of The Bachelor 
. But seriously, it's awesome to see young people taking charge and demanding change. And who knows, maybe this combo will bring some fresh vibes to the election scene 
. I mean, 77 lives lost due to protests is no joke, so here's hoping they can make a difference 
. Can't wait to see what this unlikely duo comes up with! 
so rabi lamichhane & balendra shah are like, super teamin up to shake things up in politics 
they're tryna address the youth's frustration with corruption & economic stagnation 
like, who can blame them? 77 ppl lost their lives during protests 
and now these two are tryna bring change 
rabi lamichhane is still leadin his party but shah's gonna be prime ministerial candidate 
it's def a bold move 
but only time will tell if they can actually make a diff 
... i mean, who wouldn't want a former rapper and TV host teaming up to shake things up in politics? it's about time someone brought some fresh air to the nepali scene 
... Balendra Shah seems like a breath of fresh air too, I hear he was involved in that whole interim government thingy... guess you could say he's been around the block a few times 
... and rabi lamichhane is just so passionate about being chairperson of his party 
...
... i think its awesome that they're trying to listen to what the youth want, you know? 
its about time we have some change in nepal's politics. lamichhane's right, consensus shouldn't be everyone's focus, we need leaders who really care about our future. 
shah's background as a rapper is so cool, i wonder if he'll bring that energy to the prime ministership 
Rabi & Balendra, a fresh pair 
. Fingers crossed their alliance brings about real change 
But seriously, what's wild is that they're targeting the youth, who are feeling, like, totally disenfranchised, man. It's like, their generation is stuck with the same old leaders and stuff, and it's just not fair.