Officials from Nepal's largest political party have endorsed plans to abandon support for the monarchy and declare the country a republic.
Leaders from the Nepali Congress made the announcement Wednesday after passing a resolution calling for the country to be turned into a republic.
The resolution is considered a major blow to King Gyanendra and the Shah dynasty, which has ruled the country for more than 200 years.
Last week, former Maoists rebels quit the government following a refusal by other political parties to immediately establish Nepal as a republic. The former rebels have threatened to hold street protests and organize a general strike to disrupt elections scheduled for November.
Voters will select an assembly whose task will be drafting a constitution and deciding the fate of Nepal's embattled monarchy.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.