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Balen Shah Joins RSP, Named PM Candidate in Pre-Poll Merger

The alliance seeks to harness an expanded youth electorate after September's deadly protests that toppled K. P. Sharma Oli.

Overview

  • The seven-point pact makes the Kathmandu mayor the RSP’s parliamentary party leader and prime ministerial face while Rabi Lamichhane stays as party chair.
  • Balen’s team will merge into the Rastriya Swatantra Party and contest under the Election Commission–allotted bell symbol with the party’s name and flag unchanged.
  • The agreement declares ownership of the Gen Z anti-corruption movement and commits to addressing protesters’ demands, including support for the injured.
  • Election officials say nearly 19 million people can vote on March 5, with about one million mostly young voters added since the protests, a bloc analysts say the alliance targets.
  • RSP, previously the fourth-largest party in the dissolved House, eyes broader consolidation as the Ujyalo Nepal Party considers whether to join the grouping.