Kathmandu: Nepal's King Gyanendra today (May 31, 2004) asked political parties to suggest by Tuesday (June 1, 2004) evening a prime ministerial candidate who is "clean and capable" of restoring peace and holding general elections within a year.

"The political parties should submit by 5 pm Tuesday the name of such a person who is clean and is capable of holding general election by mid-April 2005 by maintaining Peace," a statement issued by the Royal Palace said.

The King gave the ultimatum after his consultations with various political leaders on the issue failed.

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa resigned on May 7 and since then the "hunt" for a new Prime Minister was going on in the Himalayan Kingdom.

Five major political parties are on an agitation path since the past two months demanding return of multi-party democracy and formation of an all-party government.

Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudyal said the parties would take a decision whether to respond to the King's call after a meeting tomorrow.

"The statement issued by the royal palace is vague because it does not categorically ask name for a new Prime Minister from the agitating political parties which command 80 Per cent seats in the dissolved House of Representatives," he said.