Balen Shah Named PM Face: RSP Forms Alliance for Nepal Polls, Challenges Old Guard

• Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) formally joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by Rabi Lamichhane.
• Under the agreement, 35-year-old Balen will be RSP's prime ministerial face, while Lamichhane, 48, remains party president.
• The alliance aims to disrupt traditional parties by leveraging youth anger and anti-corruption sentiment from recent "Gen Z" protests.
• Analysts view this as a strategic move to attract young voters, with established parties fearing loss of support.
• Critics question Balen's leadership during protests and Lamichhane's legal issues; old parties dismiss the alliance's impact.

Why It Matters: New alliance with Balen Shah as PM face challenges Nepal's traditional political landscape.