Rabi and Balen deal; Balen alliance’s PM candidate

In a significant shift in Nepal’s political landscape, Rabi Lamichhane, President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) have officially signed a seven-point merger agreement. However, the bid to create a “triple force” failed as Kulman Ghising, patron of Ujyaalo Nepal Party, opted out of the alliance.

Following marathon negotiations that concluded at a house in Baluwatar on Sunday morning, Lamichhane and Shah agreed to unify under the Rastriya Swatantra Party banner. Under the deal, Lamichhane will retain the party presidency, while Balen Shah has been designated as the alliance’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections.

The unity efforts hit a snag during a high-stakes tripartite meeting on Saturday night. Sources reveal that Ghising was unwilling to dissolve his party’s identity without concessions on the party name or election symbol. While Ghising reportedly offered to forgo both the Chairmanship and the PM candidacy if his party’s symbol were adopted, both Lamichhane and Shah rejected the proposal.

The dialogue for this “alternative force” intensified after Lamichhane’s recent release from custody on December 19. Although Balen had initially considered launching his own “Desh Bikash Party” due to early disagreements over hierarchy, an understanding was reached on December 25 when Lamichhane agreed to back Balen for the premiership.

Despite the exit of Ghising’s faction, the RSP-Balen alliance aims to consolidate the “alternative” force ahead of the elections scheduled for March 5.