Kathmandu  - A senior minister in the Nepalese government Tuesday urged the king to leave the royal palace in Kathmandu ahead of the vote to abolish monarchy, though local media are reporting he left last week.

"King Gyanendra must leave the royal palace ahead of Wednesday's vote in the constituent assembly to declare Nepal a republic," Minister for Peace Ram Chanda Paudel said.

"The government will take action against Gyanendra if he does not leave or abide by the assembly's decision," Paudel said.

However, Paudel did not elaborate what the actions would be.

Paudel's remarks were similar to comments made by Maoist leader Babu Ram Bhattarai about a month ago.

Bhattarai had warned of force being used against the king if he did not go quietly ahead of the vote.

Nepalese media meanwhile confirmed that the embattled king is no longer staying at the Nayanhiti Royal Palace in central Kathmandu.

He moved out of the royal palace almost a week ago and was living at a retreat on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepalese media reports said.

Nepal's newly constituent assembly is expected to overwhelmingly ratify the proposal to abolish monarchy, ending nearly 240 years of rule under the Shah Dynasty. (dpa)