RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah Announce Grand Unity in Historic Political Shift

Emergence of Alternative Political Forces in Nepal

Exclusive: Kathmandu— Nepal’s evolving political landscape witnessed a significant development on December 28, 2025, as alternative political forces took a decisive step toward consolidation with the announcement of a “Grand Unity” between Rabi Lamichhane, Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen.

The agreement, signed by both leaders, signals a new phase in Nepal’s post–Gen Z movement politics and is being widely interpreted as a challenge to the country’s long-dominant political establishment. The unity follows the Gen Z–led movement of September 8th and 9th this year that confronted and displaced the traditional power structure dominated for over three decades by the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.

In the aftermath of that movement, fragmentation among reformist and alternative forces had continued. This agreement is being viewed as a turning point that could reshape Nepal’s political future.

Under the terms of the agreement, Rabi Lamichhane will continue as the Central Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), while Mayor Balendra Shah will be projected as the party’s future prime ministerial candidate following the upcoming House of Representatives election. The party will retain its existing identity, name, and election symbol—the bell—along with its central office in the Kathmandu Valley.

The leaders described the unity as a shared commitment to democratic good governance, social justice, and economic transformation. The agreement explicitly honors the sacrifices of martyrs and the injured from various people’s movements, including the Gen Z protests of Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082 (BS) (September 8 and 9, 2025) , and pledges to appropriately address the demands of affected families.

According to the document, the unified force aims to implement deep policy, institutional, and structural reforms with the objective of transforming Nepal into a respectable middle-income country within the next decade. The party has also committed to expanding and strengthening its organizational structure by integrating youth activists and experienced professionals, with responsibilities assigned on the basis of merit, inclusivity, and public credibility.

The agreement further states that all relevant party documents will be updated with the Election Commission to reflect the unity. It also issues an open call to other change-oriented political forces, groups, and individuals to unite around RSP’s principles, leadership, and election symbol to collectively advance the agenda of democratic governance, prosperity, and social justice.

With Lamichhane and Shah—two of the most visible and popular figures among younger and urban voters—now aligned, supporters believe the alliance could decisively alter Nepal’s political trajectory. Many see the unity as a turning point that may position RSP as a major contender in the next general elections, channeling public demand for reform, accountability, and a new political culture driven by the aspirations of a rising generation.

Full Text of the Agreement Between Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah

Agreement on “Grand Unity” Between the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Balendra Shah

Acknowledging the fact that cooperation among all civilized and change-oriented political forces is indispensable to address the aspirations of the general public by ensuring good governance within a pluralistic democratic system that believes in a liberal economy with social justice and is committed to equitable progress for all Nepalis; honoring the inspirational memory of the martyrs and the injured of various people’s movements—including the Gen Z movement of Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082 (BS); and with the shared resolve to achieve the common goal of national service through collaboration among like-minded forces—the Rastriya Swatantra Party (First Party) and Mr. Balendra Shah (Second Party) have reached the following agreements:

1. To take ownership of the movement led by young people against corruption and misgovernance and to commit to appropriately addressing the demands of the injured and the families of martyrs.

2. To remain dedicated to the honest implementation of a roadmap that aims to transform Nepal into a respectable middle-income country within the next ten years, through deep policy, institutional, and structural reforms necessary for national prosperity and social justice, grounded in economic and social advancement and refined political practice.

3. After the Grand Unity between the First Party and the Second Party, the political party thus established shall be named “Rastriya Swatantra Party.” The party flag shall remain the same: a blue background with a white circular center containing a blue bell symbol. The party’s election symbol shall be the “Bell,” and the central office shall be located within the Kathmandu Valley.

4. Rabi Lamichhane shall remain the Central Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and following the upcoming election to the House of Representatives, Balendra Shah shall be the leader of the parliamentary party and the candidate for future Prime Minister.

5. After the Grand Unity, while assigning responsibilities and further strengthening and expanding the party’s organizational structure, youth activists and experienced experts shall be appropriately integrated, with assignments based on merit, inclusivity, and public image.

6. In accordance with this agreement, the documents related to the Rastriya Swatantra Party shall be updated at the Election Commission.

7. To unite around the principles, leadership, and election symbol “Bell” of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and to advance the issues of democratic good governance, prosperity, and social justice, an open call shall be made to other civilized and change-oriented alternative political forces, groups, and individuals.

Rabi Lamichhane

Balendra Shah

December 28, 2025

Poush 13, 2082 (BS)

Kathmandu