Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, known as Balen, has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and been named its prime ministerial candidate for the March 5 Nepal elections. This alliance with RSP chairperson Rabi Lamichhane aims to challenge established political parties. Both leaders pledged to address demands from the youth-led "Gen Z" protests against corruption, which led to the resignation of former PM KP Sharma Oli. Balen will become PM if the RSP wins, while Lamichhane remains party chief.