More than three dozen persons have applied for the post of prime minister after Nepali King Gyanendra called on political parties to come up with a prime minister candidate by 5 p.m. local time (1113 GMT) Monday.

Those who have applied for the post include Taranath Ranabhat, speaker of the dissolved House of Representatives; Pashupati Shumsher Rana, chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; Badri Prasad Mandal, president of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party and some small party leaders.

The king had asked the political parties to select a consensus candidate for the post of prime minister who should be able to form a cabinet incorporating all parties, ensure peace and security and initiate parliamentary elections by April next year.

While some major political parties decided to boycott the king's call and continue the street demonstration until the king fulfills their demands.

However, there was debate among the five agitating political parties, who failed to name their consensus candidate for the postof prime minister.

Five political parties have been holding street demonstrations in the country's capital Kathmandu since April 1 in an attempt to press the king to form an all-party government incorporating the parties represented in the dissolved House of Representatives.

Source: Xinhua