Two widely popular political figures in Nepal have announced an alliance ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for March, aiming to confront the long-standing political parties that have dominated the Himalayan nation for more than thirty years, according to party representatives and analysts on Monday. Kathmandu’s mayor, Balendra Shah — popularly known as Balen and a former rapper — formally joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on Sunday. The party is headed by Rabi Lamichhane, a former television personality who later entered politics.

Under the agreement, party officials confirmed that the 35-year-old Balen will assume the role of prime minister if RSP secures victory in the March 5 election, while Lamichhane will continue as party leader. Both leaders have pledged to respond to the concerns voiced during the youth-led Gen Z demonstrations in September, which protested widespread corruption. The unrest resulted in 77 deaths and ultimately forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to step down.

Political analyst Bipin Adhikari described the alliance as a strategic move by RSP, saying it strengthens the party by attracting Balen’s large base of young supporters. He added that traditional parties are increasingly worried about losing young voters to RSP. According to Nepal’s election commission, nearly 19 million of the country’s 30 million citizens are eligible to vote in the upcoming election, with almost one million — mostly young voters — added since the protests.

Balen emerged as a key figure during the demonstrations and was seen as an informal leader of the youth movement. He also played a role in establishing an interim government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to oversee the electoral process. For much of the last three decades, political power in Nepal has largely been shared between Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and the centrist Nepali Congress, both of which now face a serious challenge from the rising popularity of Balen and his allies.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.