Political persons can become president, but not top leaders, say Maoists

Correcting the decision of their central secretariat of supporting only non-political persons for the position of president, the central committee of Maoists, Sunday, said even politicians can run for the position but not the top leaders.

In what appears to be an effort to bar prime minister and president of Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala from becoming the president, the Maoists have made this new decision further complicating the debate on who would become the first president of the republican Nepal.

The meeting also decided to accept the amendment of constitution to allow simple majority to form or dislodge a government but only after getting written assurances from other parties that they would not engage in cycle of pulling down governments.

"We have decided that all matters including power-sharing and constitutional amendment would be resolved in a package," said Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, a senior Maoist leader.