Sunday, February 19 2006 13:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Hours before major anti-king protests in Nepal, King Gyanendra today (Feb 19,2006) asked political parties to come together for reactivating the stalled democratic process in the Himalayan Kingdom.

"We call on all willing political parties to come forth to fully activate, at the earliest, the stalled democratic process in the greater interest of the nation," the King said in his message on the 56th Democracy Day.

This was for the first time after the seizure of power last year, the King directly called political parties to come forward to re-activate the stalled democratic process.

"Let's listen to others, put across our views, do away with discord and enhance mutual understanding, let's consolidate peace and democracy" he said.

"Peace and democracy are the aspirations of all, King Gyanendra said adding "the nation, therefore, seeks solidarity amongst all who have faith in multiparty democracy," he said.

The King called all democratic forces to show solidarity and to help build a mechanism so that 'peace and democracy are never agains jeopardized.'

Without directly naming the Maoists, the King said, "Those who have been misguided should, without delay, enter the political mainstream, of peace and multiparty democracy, eschewing the path of violence and destruction".

The King also claimed that the recently held municipal polls was a success and a victory of the people despite very low voters turn out amidst boycott call by all pro-democracy parties.

"The Nepalese people have demonstrated their faith in the power of the ballot during the recently held municipal elections," he said.

The King's remarks came as the seven party alliance was preparing anti-King demonstrations across the Himalayan Kingdom, including Kathmandu against his seizure of power last year.

The King is currently on a three week tour of western Nepal.